Elective 05 — Pandemic Science

Target Phenomenon

How did COVID-19 spread? Epidemiology, R-naught, and herd immunity.

NGSS Standards

• HS-LS1-1 — Construct an explanation based on evidence for how the structure of DNA determines the structure of proteins which carry out the essential functions of life through systems of specialized cells.
• HS-LS4-2 — Construct an explanation based on evidence that the process of evolution primarily results from four factors: potential for a species to increase in number, heritable genetic variation, competition for resources, and proliferation of organisms better able to survive and reproduce.
• HS-LS4-5 — Evaluate the evidence supporting claims that changes in environmental conditions may result in increases in the number of individuals of some species, the emergence of new species over time, and/or the extinction of other species.

Lesson Breakdown

Lesson	Title	Type
L01	[TBD]	Launch
L02	[TBD]	Explore
L03	[TBD]	Explain
L04	[TBD]	Elaborate
L05	[TBD]	Evaluate

Total: 5 lessons

Recommended Prior Module

None — standalone. No prerequisites.

Notes

Students model viral spread, evaluate public health strategies. Timely and personally relevant.