How R Naught (R₀) Shapes an Epidemic
Grade Range
6th-12th
Group Size
1-2 students
Active Time
65 minutes
Total Time
65 minutes
Area of Science
Human Biology & Health
Pandemics – COVID-19
Key Concepts
R naught, basic reproduction number, epidemics, viruses, disease modeling, COVID-19
Learning Objectives
- Describe what R naught (R₀) is.
- Identify the minimum value for R₀ needed to start an epidemic.
- Investigate how local differences in R₀ can contribute to communities experiencing differences in scope and timeline of an epidemic.
Credits
Sandra Slutz, PhD, Science Buddies
![]() OverviewWhat is R naught (R₀), what factors influence it, and how does it shape the infection curves of an epidemic? Students will explore these questions and more in this lesson plan. They will then use SimPandemic, a free online tool, to model what a COVID-19 outbreak looks like in communities with different R₀ values. Remote learning adaptation: This lesson plan can be conducted remotely. Students can work independently on the Explore section of the lesson plan using the Student Worksheet as a guide. The Engage and Reflect sections can either be dropped entirely, done in writing remotely, or be conducted over a video chat. NGSS AlignmentThis lesson helps students prepare for these Next Generation Science Standards Performance Expectations:
Materials
Reviews |
Grade Range
6th-12th
Group Size
1-2 students
Active Time
65 minutes
Total Time
65 minutes
Area of Science
Human Biology & Health
Pandemics – COVID-19
Key Concepts
R naught, basic reproduction number, epidemics, viruses, disease modeling, COVID-19
Credits
Sandra Slutz, PhD, Science Buddies
Learning Objectives
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