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This Ebola: Disease Detectives activity also includes:
How did the Ebola virus first infect humans? Young virologists examine genetic sequences from the 2014 Sierra Leone outbreak to find similarities during a riveting activity. Following similar methods used by MIT and Harvard, partners learn how scientists categorize viral sequences, determine the presence of mutations, and use the information to explore a virus' transmission history.
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Instructional Ideas
- Plan to show the video before starting the activity
- Use the Virus Explorer interactive as a hands-on extension
Classroom Considerations
- Print color copies of the sequence cards on card stock for future use
- Make sure the class understands that Ebola is an RNA virus
Pros
- Subject matter is timely and engaging for the high school age group
- Plan follows a logical progression from basic to advanced and provides support for implementation
Cons
- None