Description
In this activity, students will learn about John Snow, considered
to be the father of epidemiology. They will learn how he
used scientific methods to identify the environment in which
cholera was spreading. By disrupting this environment, he
ended the epidemic. Then students will learn more about
modern-day "disease detectives," deciding whether this would
be a possible career for them to pursue.
Relevant Standards
This activity fulfills science
and health education standards.
Objectives
Students will:
- Describe the scientific methods that John Snow used
to identify the environment in which cholera could spread
- Apply what they have learned about environmental conditions
as a factor in the spread of infectious diseases
BAM! Body and Mind Resources:
- Disease
Detectives — Profiles CDC "detectives" as they
track down the source of diseases and help stop them.
- Stalking
SARS — Students can track SARS and CDC's work
to stop it from the beginning in this interactive feature.
- Operation
Flame Out — Students can examine the process
that CDC uses to tackle public health problems such as
smoking.
- Operation
Infection Detection — Students can examine the
process that CDC uses to tackle infectious diseases such
as West Nile virus.