When Pigs Fly

Team: 40

School: Edgewood Mid

Area of Science: Epidemiology

Interim: Team: 40
School: Edgewood Middle and Elementary School
Area of science: Epidemiology

Interim
Problem Definition:
Swine flu is currently spreading rapidly among humans. Avian flu is very deadly but only spreads from birds to humans when they are in close contact. Flu viruses are always mutating and if these two viruses combine, it could result in a deadly, easily spread disease. This mutated super flu could cause widespread devastation.

Problem Solution:
We will model the behavior of this virus in Starlogo TNG. In our simulation we will try to copy a simulation of a city and infect a small group. We will then give a period of time until the diseases is noticed and activate quarantines and other preventive measures. With this quarantine we will shut down movement in infected areas with only certain people working (police, doctors, etc.). We will also add on more preventive actions like masks and vaccines.

Progress to Date:
We have finished with our research. We are working on programming in the quarantine and the infection rate. We need to program in more variables such as keeping people out of the quarantine zone along with the recovery rate. We also need to program a way to stop the infected from infecting others on the way to the quarantine zone.

Expected Results:
We expect that we should see the population in the city decrease as infecting rates increase. We also expect that when we take actions to control the diseases then the infection rate should drop.

Team Members:
Josh Berson
Timmy Thompson
Casey Bond
Joseph Shaffier
Sponsoring Teachers:
Carol Thompson
Jennifer Cordova

References:
http://seekingalpha.com/article/3586-some-facts-about-avian-flu-gild-glx
http://www.scdhec.gov/flu/avian.htm
http://www.cdc.gov/flu/avian/gen-info/qa.htm
http://www.who.int/csr/disease/avian_influenza/guidelines/advice_people_area/en/index.html
http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/avian_influenza/en/
We also have five book references. We will add them later.

Team Members:

  Timothy Thompson
  josh berson
  Joseph Shaffier
  Casey Bond

Sponsoring Teacher: Carol Thompson

Mail the entire Team