Curb the Epidemic!
Using a website simulation tool, students build on their understanding of random processes on networks to interact with the graph of a social network of individuals and simulate the spread of a disease. They decide certain variables which impact the spread of the disease with the goal to "curb the epidemic." Since the results are random, they run multiple simulations and compute the average number of infected individuals before analyzing the results and assessing the effectiveness of their vaccination strategies. This engineering curriculum meets Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS).
Engineers apply their understanding of random processes on networks to study all kinds of network problems, including how infectious diseases spread on social networks.Copyright (photo) 2004 Microsoft Corporation, One Microsoft Way, Redmond, WA 98052-6399 USA. All rights reserved. (diagram) Complex Systems Science Laboratory in the Whitaker Biomedical Engineering Institute at the Johns Hopkins University http://www.cis.jhu.edu/~goutsias/teachingApplet/webapp.html
Simulations of real systems are used throughout science and engineering to test hypotheses, understand the nature of particular problems, and generate effective solutions. For example, biomolecular engineers use computers to extensively simulate complex reaction networks in order to form and test hypotheses about how interactions of certain molecules (such as proteins) in our cells lead to disease (such as cancer). Public health professionals also use computer simulations to provide solutions to the challenge of distributing the smallest possible number of vaccines in order to minimize the number of people falling ill to infectious diseases. For example, when the flu arrives in a highly populated area, distributing a limited number of vaccines in an appropriate manner is key to minimizing distribution costs and alleviating potential vaccine shortages.
After this activity, students should be able to:
- Use a website simulation to simulate the spread of a disease on a social network of interacting individuals.
- Determine a vaccination strategy that minimizes the number of people infected by the disease.
- Compute an appropriate quantity for evaluating the effectiveness of a vaccination strategy.