CDCM PHA STEM Lesson – Investigating Influenza

In Investigating Influenza, student scientists learn about the structure and characteristics of the influenza virus and how it mutates over time. Students explore how influenza surveillance tracks case numbers and mutations that could lead to pandemics. Students design a scientific experiment to investigate a common myth about the flu. Students analyze influenza surveillance data to look for patterns, identify vulnerable groups, and compare it to data from other diseases. Students share their findings with others to emphasize the importance of vaccination in preventing illness, hospitalization, or death.

Topics included in Investigating Influenza:

• Structure and types of influenza
• Disease surveillance
• Principles of experimental design
• Single-blind and double-blind experiments
• Analyzing data from graphs
• Scientific method
• Effective communication