Dr. Jason Rosé, who teaches Honors and AP® Chemistry, submitted an eleven-unit, year-long interdisciplinary course, titled "Pestilence and Civilization." The first unit of this course is an introduction to epidemiological history and methods. In this unit, 50% of class time is devoted to lecture and class discussion. The remaining time is spent analyzing data, working in groups to solve problems, and participating in simulations and exercises that highlight aspects of epidemiology. The course examines eight major infectious diseases of the human population with an emphasis on how epidemiology can help us understand the impact of disease on society. By integrating the biological, historical and sociological aspects of disease, this course illustrates the broad range of epidemiological study and the lessons it can teach us for dealing with modern challenges. Of particular note in this course are units on immunology and HIV/AIDS.
Robert Seiple, the Midwestern Region's National Winner, created "A Ticking Time Bomb: the Emyl, Connecticut Story," an inquiry-based simulation based on the actual detection and eventual discovery of the underlying causes of a mysterious, but real, disease. Mr. Seiple teaches Environmental Systems and AP Environmental Science. In this two-week unit, students are
presented the case study of a small town that has been impacted by an outbreak of illnesses of unknown origin. Upon completion of the unit, students will understand the causes of the mystery outbreak, its propagation and severity in society, as well as its connection with man's modification of the environment. Students will learn the vital role that medical epidemiologists, pathologists, public health workers, and field biologists perform in society. This is accomplished through a series of written communiqués to an unseen supervisor, and culminates in a written summary and management plan of the outbreak. Students will exercise their skills of questioning and developing explanations, will find and evaluate evidence, exercise critical thinking, and apply the scientific method to a real world problem.
Kim S. Ables and John Mahoney are the National Winners from the Middle States Region. Ms. Ables teaches Biology I, AP Biology, and Human Anatomy and Physiology. Mr. Mahoney teaches AP Statistics, Pre-Calculus, and International Baccalaureate (IB) Higher Level Mathematics. This team created an interdisciplinary curriculum that uses epidemiology to link statistics and biology. Students act as epidemiologists to assess the occurrence of disease and other public health issues, and then apply basic principles of statistics to synthesize, analyze, and report their findings. Students will learn the importance and application of statistics to epidemiology and will experience first hand the important relationship that exists between math and science in the analysis of and solutions to a variety of epidemics that plague communities. Banneker's substantial student community service requirement in neighborhoods that are rife with social, economic, and health issues, such as HIV/AIDS; violence; poverty; drug abuse, asthma; and obesity, provides the source of data for a final student project.
