Training Teachers to Teach Epidemiology in Middle and High Schools

Objective The purpose of this study was to evaluate the outcomes of a workshop which was designed to prepare teachers to teach epidemiology to middle and high school students. Methods The workshop introduced the fundamental enduring understandings of epidemiology as well as a pedagogical framework for teaching it. Using an online questionnaire and telephone interviews, we assessed post-workshop outcomes. Results The majority (80%) of workshop alumni had taught epidemiology with the most common approach (52%) being the inclusion of epidemiologic concepts into other courses. Teachers felt that learning epidemiology was a valuable experience for their students and reported that students found it engaging and relevant to their lives. Conclusions These preliminary findings suggest that there may be benefit to teaching epidemiology in middle and high schools. Further research should directly evaluate public health-related outcomes among students, such as improvements in health literacy and health behavior.