Outbreak

Masterclass

Students will be presented with patient history and unknown diagnosis. Working in teams and supported by plenary sessions, they will take part in hands-on activities including physiology, blood science and microbiology to try and diagnose the patient.

Events escalate with multiple cases involved and increasing public concern, the source needs to be found. Students will learn about epidemiology and get to perform further laboratory studies including antibiotic sensitivity and resistance. 

Students will apply knowledge of science and develop skills in reasoning, problem solving and communication. They will look at the connections between people, places and time to try and find the source of the ‘Outbreak’

Throughout the sessions and in summary during the day students will learn about a wide range of roles and careers involving Biological Sciences to include biomedical science, clinical physiologists, epidemiologists, entomologists, pharmaceutical scientists and many more.

Key facts

Location
On campus
Online
Duration
Full day
Capacity
60
Key Stage
Key Stage 5
Gatsby benchmarks
4. Linking curriculum learning to careers
7. Encounters with further and higher education

Example programme

10.00 to 10.30 – Welcome and overview of Activity. 

  • Welcome, safety and introduction
  • Context setting – the challenge of the day
  • Split into three groups/teams

10.30 to 12.00 – Masterclass Mini Lecture/Interactive practical activities

Sub-teams work through a variety of stations to gather evidence on the 'patient'.  

Practical 1

Physiology - Physiological measurements (pulse, respiration, blood pressure) and ECG.

Practical 2

Blood Science - Blood parameter interpretation (hypoglycemia, blood grouping, matching blood products.

12.00 to 12.30 – Lunch

12.30 to 2.15 – Masterclass Mini Lecture/Interactive Workshops

Whole Group plenary -  receive additional epidemiological data.

12.45 PM – Groups split again. Working in two halves, flipping between the two practicals

Practical 3

Microbiology - Gram staining and bacterial identification exercise

Practical 4

Interpret the results of antibiotic sensitivity plates. Multiple staff and ambassadors to facilitate student engagement.

2.05 to 2.15 – Whole group plenary - subgroups bring together their findings – what did we learn today.

2.15 to 2.30 – Feedback and Departure to include the broad range of Careers in the areas they have covered during the day.

in the UK for Quality Education

Sustainable Development Goal 4, Times Higher Education Impact Rankings 2024

for Career Prospects

Whatuni Student Choice Awards 2023

for Facilities

Whatuni Student Choice Awards 2023

for Social Inclusion

The Times and The Sunday Times Good University Guide 2023

of Research Impact is ‘Outstanding’ or ‘Very Considerable’

Research Excellence Framework 2021

of Research is “Internationally Excellent” or “World Leading”

Research Excellence Framework 2021

Four Star Rating

QS Star Ratings 2021