Operation Outbreak
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Teach outbreak science with free, ready-to-use resources Resources for designing and delivering outbreak exercises

Explore an open-access textbook, classroom lessons, videos, and facilitator materials designed to help students understand infectious disease transmission, prevention, and response. Use the resources on their own or alongside an Operation Outbreak simulation.

Explore tools, examples, and materials developed through Operation Outbreak simulations and tabletop exercises. Our professional facilitator library is growing. Tell us about your next exercise, and we’ll share what is available now.

Textbook Videos Lesson Plans
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A growing facilitator library

Selected briefs, exercise structures, and facilitation resources developed through previous deployments may be available depending on the scenario and intended use.

01

Exercise case studies

Examples of how Operation Outbreak has been used in tabletop exercises, conferences, training programs, and other professional settings.

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02

After-action review framework

A sample structure for organizing observations, decisions, outbreak data, strengths, and areas for improvement after an exercise.

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03

Scenario-design resources

Tools for defining objectives, participant roles, pathogen parameters, injects, decision points, and exercise flow.

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04

Facilitator materials

Briefs, exercise structures, and facilitation resources developed through previous deployments.

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Outbreak Science: An Introduction to an Interdisciplinary Field

An open-access introduction to outbreak science, a field that spans biology, epidemiology, public health, and social science. Each chapter combines real case studies with expert insight and is published as it becomes available.

A digital world map in shades of blue with white data points on a grid Chapter 01 Emerging Pathogens Dense overlapping orange scribbled lines forming cloud-like clusters on soft yellow Chapter 02 Epidemiology A hand points to a spot on a chest X-ray on a lightbox, tinted red-pink Chapter 03 Clinical Symptomatology Abstract purple concentric rings and radiating lines, like microscopic imagery Chapter 04 Fundamentals of Genetics Microscopic view of two spiral-shaped bacteria against deep pink and red Chapter 05 Biology of Infectious Agents Orange and pink spherical cells with filament extensions on purple to pink Chapter 06 Immune System and Host Defenses Round red blood cells with a few crescent-shaped cells on orange Chapter 07 Diagnostic Tests Vintage botanical illustration of leafy branches with clusters of small flowers Chapter 08 Therapeutics Aerial view of a herd of horses running across dusty open ground Chapter 09 Vaccines and Immunization Aerial view of a city submerged in floodwater, tinted red Chapter 10 Social Determinants of Health Nighttime apartment building with windows glowing orange from interior lights Chapter 11 Public Health and Policy Chapter twelve cover Chapter 12 Science Communication Chapter thirteen cover Chapter 13 Mathematical Modeling of Infectious Disease

Textbook and image attributions →

Crash Course: Outbreak Science

How do pathogens make us sick? Why do societies respond to outbreaks the way they do? What can we learn from past outbreaks to prevent or stop the next one? These are just some of the many questions asked in our 16-episode Outbreak Science video series, hosted by Dr. Pardis Sabeti and produced by Complexly.

An illustrated person touches a blue cartoon virus. Text reads “Crash Course Outbreak Science,” with a “0” in the corner and “PREVIEW” over the center. Pink virus-like shapes fill the background. Preview Crash Course Outbreak Science Watch → An illustrated person with glasses and purple bacteria around them stands next to text reading “What is Outbreak Science?” and “Crash Course Outbreak Science,” with test swabs and a number 1 in the corner. 01 What Is Outbreak Science? Watch → Cartoon germs with faces surround bold text reading “Pathogens & Immunology” for Crash Course Outbreak Science, episode 2. The background is blue with cell-like patterns and a bright border. 02 How Do Outbreaks Start? Pathogens and Immunology Watch → Crash Course Outbreak Science banner with cartoon people, city, rural homes, skull and crossbones, and “Epidemiological Transition” in bold text. A badge at the top left and a number 3 in a black circle are also shown. 03 Why Do We Have Fewer Outbreaks? Epidemiological Transition Watch → Illustration of a masked woman presenting to four people. Text: “Why do outbreaks affect people unequally?” Crash Course Outbreak Science logo and a number 4 are shown. 04 Why Do Outbreaks Affect People Unequally? Watch → Cartoon of two people being launched from a giant slingshot, with text “Weaponization of Outbreaks” and “Crash Course Outbreak Science.” A badge and the number 5 appear in the top corners. 05 The Weaponization of Outbreaks Watch → Illustrated doctor holding a thermometer and test tube, surrounded by medical items. Text reads: “Crash Course Outbreak Science: How Do We Know We’re Sick?” with a number 6 in a black circle. Blue and green background. 06 How Do We Know We’re Sick? Watch → A person in protective gear stands near a hospital bed, holding a green virus model. Cleaning supplies and medical equipment are in the background. Text: “HEALTHCARE SYSTEMS DURING OUTBREAKS.”. 07 How Does the Healthcare System Work During Outbreaks? Watch → Two animated women talk on phones; a speech bubble shows a sun and a bug. Text reads: “How do we investigate outbreaks?” Crash Course Outbreak Science logo, episode 8. Pink background with stylized bacteria border. 08 How Do We Investigate Outbreaks? Epidemiology Watch → Illustration with “Crash Course Outbreak Science” logo, title “PREDICTING OUTBREAK’S FUTURE,” a person with wavy hair driving a car, and a large number 9 in a black circle. Yellow microbes are in the background. 09 Can We Predict An Outbreak’s Future? Modeling Watch → Illustration with “Public Health & Outbreaks” text, animated people, virus icons, yellow clipboards, and the number 10. Crash Course Outbreak Science logo appears in the top left corner. 10 How Does Public Health Tackle Outbreaks? Watch → A colorful graphic with icons, a globe, and text reading “Crash Course Outbreak Science 11: Cooperation in Outbreaks” on a purple background with a white border pattern. 11 How Can Cooperation End an Outbreak? Watch → Illustration of a scientist holding a syringe, a worker on a forklift, and lab equipment. Text reads: “Crash Course Outbreak Science 12: Infrastructure & Outbreaks.” Background features a stylized virus pattern. 12 How Can Infrastructure Help Us Stop Outbreaks? Watch → Illustration of six diverse people sitting around a fire, with “Crash Course Outbreak Science” and “Outbreak Culture” written in bold letters. Episode number 13 appears in a black circle on the right. 13 What Is Outbreak Culture? Watch → Illustration of a doctor giving a vaccine to a masked person, with colorful cartoon germs and the text “Crash Course Outbreak Science: Vaccines & Recovery,” and a “14” in a black circle. 14 How do Outbreaks End? Vaccines and Recovery Watch → Cartoon scientists and viruses stand on a purple background with “Crash Course Outbreak Science” logo, episode number 15, and large text reading “ENDING OUTBREAKS.” The scientists hold various symbols and wear different outfits. 15 How Are We All Part of Ending Outbreaks? Watch →

From Classroom to Crisis Response: Fighting Outbreaks Together

Operation Outbreak lesson plans offer an engaging, interdisciplinary exploration of infectious disease outbreaks. Through interactive content, case studies, and expert insights, students learn about pathogens, societal responses, and prevention strategies—preparing them to tackle health security challenges and build a resilient future.

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17 of 17 lessons
LessonCrash CourseIn-class activityTagsNGSS
1.1 Outbreak Observation Introduction to Outbreak Science
Crash Course Outbreak Science Preview
Outbreak! Documentary & Discussion
Clinical Diagnostics Discussion Documentary Foundations
HS-ESS3-1 HS-ESS3-3 HS-LS2-6 HS-LS2-8 HS-LS4-3 HS-LS4-4
1.2 Where Do Bad Bugs Come From? Introduction to One Health
Episode #1: What is Outbreak Science?
One Health Issues Discussion
Discussion Foundations One Health
HS-LS2-6 HS-LS2-7 HS-LS2-8 HS-LS4-5 HS-ESS3-1 HS-ESS3-4
1.3 The Mysteries of Microbes: Pathogen Biology Biology of Pathogens
Episode #2: How Do Outbreaks Start?
Guess the Pathogen
Discussion Hands-On Pathogen Biology
HS-LS1-2 HS-LS4-2 HS-LS4-5
1.4 How Do We Investigate Outbreaks? Epidemiology
Episode #8: How Do We Investigate Outbreaks?
Contact Tracing
Discussion Epidemiology & Modeling Simulation
HS-ETS1-1 HS-ETS1-2 HS-LS1-2 HS-LS2-6 HS-LS4-3
1.5 Doctor, Doctor! Clinical Symptomatology and Diagnostics Clinical Symptomatology and Diagnostics
Episode #6: How Do We Know We’re Sick?
Doctor, Doctor!
Clinical Diagnostics Pathogen Biology Role-Play
HS-ETS1-3 HS-LS2-8
1.6 Why Do Outbreaks Affect People Unequally? Social Drivers of Disease
Episode #4: Why Do Outbreaks Affect People Unequally?
Social Drivers of Disease
Discussion Social Determinants
HS-ETS1-1 HS-ETS1-3
1.7 Misinformation Matrix Science Communication
Navigating Digital Information #2: The Facts About Fact Checking
Misinformation Matrix
Communication & Media Discussion
HS-ETS1-1 HS-ETS1-3 HS-LS4-1
1.8 A Pulse on Public Health Policy Public Health and Policy
Episode #10: How Does Public Health Tackle Outbreaks?
Public Health Policy Discussion
Discussion Governance & Policy Public Health Systems Role-Play
HS-ETS1-1 HS-ETS1-2 HS-ETS1-3 HS-LS2-7 HS-LS2-8 HS-LS4-2 HS-ESS3-1 HS-ESS3-4
1.9 Body Team 12: Cooperation in Outbreak Response Outbreak Governance
Episode #11: How Can Cooperation End an Outbreak?
Who’s the Expert?
Biosecurity & Biosafety Communication & Media Documentary Governance & Policy
HS-ETS1-1 HS-ETS1-2 HS-ETS1-3 HS-LS2-8 HS-LS4-1
3.1 Social Fabric in Crisis: Introduction to Outbreak Culture Social Drivers of Disease; Introduction to Outbreak Culture
Episode #13: What is Outbreak Culture?
Reflection Activity; Special: Pathogens + Us
Communication & Media Discussion Social Determinants
HS-ETS1-1 HS-ETS1-2 HS-ETS1-3 HS-ETS1-4 HS-LS2-8 HS-LS4-4
3.2 Epidemic Equations: Mathematical Modeling of Infectious Disease Mathematical Modeling (SIR Models)
Episode #9: Can We Predict An Outbreak’s Future?
Build Your Own SIR Model
Epidemiology & Modeling Hands-On Simulation
HS-ETS1-4 HS-LS2-2 HS-LS4-2 HS-LS4-3 HS-ESS3-3
3.3 What’s the Infodemic? Infodemiology, Root Cause Analysis
Navigating Digital Information #10: Social Media
Infodemics and You
Communication & Media Data Literacy Discussion
HS-ETS1-1 HS-ETS1-2 HS-ETS1-3 HS-LS2-8 HS-LS4-2
3.6 How Do Outbreaks End? Introduction to Vaccines and Immunizations Vaccines and Immunizations
Episode #14: How Do Outbreaks End?
Availability vs. Uptake
Discussion Vaccines & Immunity
HS-ETS1-1 HS-ETS1-2 HS-ETS1-3 HS-ETS1-4 HS-LS2-8 HS-LS4-2 HS-LS4-3 HS-LS4-4 HS-LS4-5 HS-ESS3-3
3.7 Can We Prevent Epidemics? Language Arts & Outbreaks; Data Science
Episode #12: How Can Infrastructure Help Us Stop Outbreaks?
Preventing Epidemics
One Health Project-Based Public Health Systems Systems Thinking Vaccines & Immunity
HS-ETS1-1 HS-ETS1-2 HS-ETS1-3 HS-LS2-2 HS-LS2-6 HS-LS2-7 HS-LS2-8 HS-LS4-4 HS-LS4-5 HS-ESS3-1 HS-ESS3-2 HS-ESS3-4
3.8 Me Equals We Altruism and Empathy During a Health Crisis
Episode #15: How Are We All Part of Ending Outbreaks?
People vs. Pathogens (PvP)
Game Social Determinants
HS-ETS1-1 HS-ETS1-3 HS-LS2-8 HS-ESS3-1
3.9 Biosecurity Lesson · available on request Biosecurity & Biosafety
Episode #5: The Weaponization of Outbreaks
Get in touch for access
Biosecurity & Biosafety Discussion
HS-ETS1-1 HS-ETS1-2 HS-ETS1-3 HS-LS2-7 HS-LS2-8 HS-LS4-3 HS-LS4-4 HS-LS4-5 HS-ESS3-1 HS-ESS3-2 HS-ESS3-4
Capstone Project: Outbreak-Proof Society Social and Economic Development
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Project-Based Public Health Systems Systems Thinking
HS-ETS1-1 HS-ETS1-2 HS-ETS1-3 HS-ETS1-4 HS-LS2-2 HS-LS2-6 HS-LS2-7 HS-LS2-8 HS-LS4-2 HS-LS4-4 HS-LS4-5 HS-ESS3-1 HS-ESS3-2 HS-ESS3-3 HS-ESS3-4
Open to everyone

Explore the outbreak-science library

The open-access textbook, lessons, and Crash Course series are available to professionals as well as educators. They can support background learning, participant preparation, or a broader understanding of outbreak science.

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