Turn your classroom into a disease investigation as students become epidemiologists responding to a fictional Z-Virus outbreak! In this highly engaging, hands-on simulation, students collect outbreak data, analyze patterns of disease transmission, evaluate public health interventions, and use evidence to recommend the best strategy for slowing the spread of an infectious disease.
Although the zombie theme grabs students’ attention, the science is completely real. Students explore key concepts in epidemiology, infectious disease transmission, public health, environmental health, data analysis, and scientific argumentation while participating in an unforgettable classroom experience.
$5.00
Turn your classroom into a disease investigation as students become epidemiologists responding to a fictional Z-Virus outbreak! In this highly engaging, hands-on simulation, students collect outbreak data, analyze patterns of disease transmission, evaluate public health interventions, and use evidence to recommend the best strategy for slowing the spread of an infectious disease.
Although the zombie theme grabs students’ attention, the science is completely real. Students explore key concepts in epidemiology, infectious disease transmission, public health, environmental health, data analysis, and scientific argumentation while participating in an unforgettable classroom experience.
This activity is designed to fit into a single 40–45 minute class period, making it perfect for Biology, Environmental Science, Health Science, or Life Science classrooms.
Students Will:
✔ Participate in an interactive disease outbreak simulation
✔ Collect and analyze epidemiological data
✔ Create and interpret an epidemic curve
✔ Evaluate the effectiveness of public health interventions
✔ Explore how environmental conditions influence disease spread
✔ Make evidence-based recommendations using the CER (Claim-Evidence-Reasoning) framework
✔ Connect a fictional outbreak to real-world infectious diseases
What’s Included
⭐ Student Investigation Packet
⭐ Printable ZDCC Status Cards
⭐ Complete Teacher Guide
Why Teachers Love This Activity
Prep is Simple!
Just print the student packet and status cards, shuffle the cards, and you’re ready to investigate the outbreak. The included teacher guide walks you through every step of the activity, making implementation easy whether you’re teaching middle school or high school.
Bring epidemiology to life with this immersive classroom simulation that combines movement, data analysis, environmental health, and evidence-based decision-making into one memorable investigation. Your students won’t just learn about disease outbreaks—they’ll investigate one like real epidemiologists!
Grade Levels: 7th – 12th
Total Pages: 45
Teaching Duration: 45 Minutes
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Jessica
