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Modeling Disease Spread

Start Interactive
A grouping of human icons, most of which are gray. There are two red icons surrounded with three pink icons each.

Topic

  • Microbiology
  • Pathogens & Disease
  • Science Practices
  • Models & Simulations
  • Graph Interpretation

Resource Type

  • Interactive Media
  • Click & Learn

Level

High School — GeneralHigh School — AP/IBCollege
Saved By
12 Users

Description

This interactive module can be used to model infectious disease spread in a population using the SIR model. It includes background on the components of the SIR model and factors that affect the spread of disease, as well as two simulators for modeling disease spread on different scales. 

The Click & Learn contains the following main sections:

  • Introduction: Provides background on infectious diseases and how they spread.
  • SIR Model Basics: Discusses the basic components of the SIR model. Also includes the “Outbreak Simulator” (and an accompanying tutorial), which can be used to simulate disease spread in a small population, collect data, and build a graph.
  • SIR Model Advanced: Discusses mathematical equations for the SIR model and additional factors that affect the spread of disease. Also includes the “Epidemic Simulator”, which can be used to simulate disease spread in a large population, calculate certain metrics, and generate graphs.

An accompanying worksheet guides students’ exploration. Additional information related to pedagogy and implementation can be found in the “Educator Materials.”

The “Resource Google Folder” link directs to a Google Drive folder of resource documents in the Google Docs format. Not all downloadable documents for the resource may be available in this format. The Google Drive folder is set as “View Only”; to save a copy of a document in this folder to your Google Drive, open that document, then select File → “Make a copy.” These documents can be copied, modified, and distributed online following the Terms of Use listed in the “Details” section below, including crediting BioInteractive.

Student Learning Targets

  • Use the SIR model to simulate the spread of an infectious disease in a population.
  • Collect data to build, analyze, and interpret SIR graphs.
  • Predict how different parameters (e.g., transmission and recovery probabilities or rates) and interventions (e.g., vaccination) affect disease spread dynamics.
  • Describe assumptions and limitations of the SIR model.

Estimated Time

One to two 50-minute class periods, depending on implementation.

Key Terms

assumption, epidemiology, immunity, infectious, recovery, simulation, SIR model, susceptible, transmission, vaccination

Terms of Use

The resource is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International license. No rights are granted to use HHMI’s or BioInteractive’s names or logos independent from this Resource or in any derivative works.

Accessibility Level (WCAG compliance)

PDF files meet criteria. Interactive media meets criteria.

Version History

Date Published 04.07.23

NGSS 2013

SEP2, SEP3, SEP4, SEP5

AP Biology 2019

SP1, SP2, SP4, SP6

IB Biology 2016

6.3, 11.1

Common Core 2010

ELA.RST.9-12.3, ELA.RST.9-12.7, MP2, MP4

Vision and Change 2009

CC5, DP2, DP3, DP6

Materials

Download Resource Google Folder (Link)
Download Educator Materials (PDF) 2 MB
Download Student Worksheet (PDF) 402 KB
Download Transcript (PDF) 207 KB

Additional Materials

computer or mobile device that can be used to take screenshots, download files, or print images

Use This Resource With

Activity Resource
Modeling Vaccination Impact on a Measles Epidemic

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