Although rabies still causes thousands of deaths globally every year, it has essentially been eradicated from most industrialized countries. Part of the success story is due to an unusual project undertaken by the Swiss prompted by a series of large outbreaks in the 1970s: the large-scale vaccination of wild foxes to stop the epidemic. In this directed case study, students use an easily accessible MS Excel-based model to understand key epidemiological parameters of rabies outbreaks in wild foxes. The simple model allows students also to predict what proportion of foxes needs to be vaccinated to eradicate the virus from the population. The case fits into both ecological and microbiological (epidemiological) courses and offers opportunities to explore zoonotic diseases and "One Health" questions. The mathematical basis of the differential equations in the models is explained, although prior knowledge of calculus is not essential. A key learning outcome is the critical understanding of both the power and limitations of simple epidemiological models. This case was written for an online course but could also be used as a face-to-face activity if students have access to computers in class.
n. As such, this set of Essential Elements addresses a small number of science
standards, representing a breadth, but not depth, of coverage across the entire standards framework. The
purpose of the DLM Essential Elements is to build a bridge from the content in the general education
science framework to academic expectations for students with the most significant cognitive disabilities.
This version of the Essential Elements will provide content for science assessments for at least the next
two years. The DLM Science Consortium intends to develop a learning map based on research about
how students learn science content and engage in scientific and engineering practices in the next phase
of the project. Revisions will be made when the science map is complete, at which time we anticipate the
EEs will be aligned to the map with revisions and additions as appropriate.
Different disciplines follow different versions of the inquiry process.
Graphic comparing: problem solving, scientific method, writing process, computation, theater, and engineering design.
Here is a list of additional resources for Inquire High School. These inquiry resources include great links to Web sites, articles, videos, and much more that supports inquiry