Pathogen Transmission Rates

Abstract

This model would be used in a classroom to demonstrate the different methods of pathogen transmission. The accompanying worksheet contains questions for pre-assessment, activity, and post-assessment. There are four different worksheets to represent the multiple modes of transmission. Each worksheet is designed to demonstrate a different mode of pathogen transmission and is will be utilized by a different group of students. Upon experimentation, students will export the data from the AgentSheets plots into Excel. Using Excel, students will be able to create graphs. After each group has created their graph and analyzed their data, they will present their findings to the class and compare their data. After presenting, there will be a discussion about the various graphs and their corresponding rates. Functions presented as expressions can model many important phenomena. Two important families of functions characterized by laws of growth are linear functions, which grow at a constant rate, and exponential functions, which grow at a constant percent rate. Using prior knowledge of graphing, functions, and rate of change, students will work as a class to determine which method of transmission results in the most rapid spread of pathogens. The primary file is a lesson plan, accompanied by supplemental files. In the supplemental zipped files, you will find: Student worksheets Lesson plan Powerpoint presentations