Source and agent CER
Students write a CER identifying the likely source and infectious agent of the outbreak.
CER naming the likely outbreak source and infectious agent, citing epidemic curve, spot map, and agent-ID evidence, including an attack rate or incidence value, and stating assumptions and limitations.
- 1Do thisStudents write a CER identifying the likely source and infectious agent of the outbreak.
- 2Use this resource
- 3Submit thisCER: CER naming the likely outbreak source and infectious agent, citing epidemic curve, spot map, and agent-ID evidence, including an attack rate or incidence value, and stating assumptions and limitations.
- 4Submit it here
- 1CMSD website. Go to clevelandmetroschools.org and click the Clever button.
- 2Clever. Clever opens. Sign in if it asks.
- 3Microsoft (district) login. Use your district Microsoft account (the one for school).
- 4Schoology. Open Schoology, then your class, then Assignments, and find the file named below.
The file to submit is named: Principles of Biomedical Technology (Principles of Biomedical Science) › Unit 3.1 Outbreak Evidence: Line lists, maps, epidemic curves, infectious-agent identification lab or simulation. › CEROpen Schoology
Read to prepare for today
Vetted sources picked for today's question. Skim these before you take a position or start the work, so your argument and evidence are grounded.
- CER:
- Claim, Evidence, Reasoning — make a claim, back it with evidence, explain your reasoning.
- SOP:
- Standard Operating Procedure — the exact steps to follow (especially in a lab).
- Tracker:
- Your PLTW progress log where you record completed evidence.
- myPLTW:
- The PLTW course site where you do the online activities — you open it through Schoology.
Minute-by-minute · 80-minute block
💡 Big idea: An outbreak CER earns its claim by linking three independent data sources: curve shape, geographic cluster, and agent ID.
- 0-8 minReview Wednesday data: confirm curve shape, map cluster location, and agent-ID result.
- 8-20 minWrite the claim: name the likely source (location/event) and infectious agent in one sentence.
- 20-45 minWrite evidence: cite curve shape, map cluster, and agent-ID result as three separate points.
- 45-60 minWrite reasoning: connect exposure patterns to the proposed source for each evidence point.
- 60-70 minCalculate and insert incidence or attack-rate value; add assumptions and limitations.
- 70-80 minPeer review: confirm three evidence sources are cited, quantitative value is present, limitation stated.
- • You have the curve, the map, and the agent-ID results from Wednesday: today you build the argument.
- • Every piece of evidence must be cited by the tool that produced it, not just described generically.
- • The quantitative section is mandatory: an attack rate or incidence value turns a description into a measure.
- • Your limitation should point to one specific gap in the Wednesday data that could change your conclusion.
- 1State a claim naming the likely source and agent of the outbreak.
- 2Cite epidemic-curve, map, and identification-test evidence.
- 3Explain reasoning that links exposure patterns to the proposed source.
- 4Quantify the outbreak using incidence and attack-rate values.
- 5Identify assumptions and limitations in the data and methods.
- • Write a CER naming source and agent with multi-tool evidence.
- • Include a quantitative measure and at least one limitation.
- • Attack rate = (number of cases / number exposed) x 100: a quantitative measure of outbreak severity.
- • Multi-tool evidence means citing the curve, the map, and the test result independently, not as a single statement.
- • Assumptions reveal where the investigation could be wrong; limitations reveal where the data is incomplete.
Your PLTW work today
Unit 3.1 Outbreak Evidence: Line lists, maps, epidemic curves, infectious-agent identification lab or simulation. · Source and agent CER
Day 4 of this lesson. Open this exact section in myPLTW (reached through Schoology), then do the work below.
Do this: Open myPLTW and locate the Lesson 3.1 Nosocomial Nightmare outbreak CER or source-identification activity to use as a writing scaffold.
Submit any platform prompts before shifting to independent CER writing.
Platform prompts done in first 15 minutes; full CER submitted before end of period.
Submitted CER in Schoology is the primary evidence.
All PLTW activities are completed inside the PLTW course environment — this page only gives direction. Submit producibles on Schoology.
Today's PLTW tracker
Check things off as you work, then submit. This tells Mr. Mendoza how you're doing so he can help the class. It does not replace turning in your producible on Schoology.
Use the code Mr. Mendoza gave you, not your name. Saved on this device.
Unit 3.1 Outbreak Evidence: Line lists, maps, epidemic curves, infectious-agent identification lab or simulation. · Source and agent CER
Open myPLTW and locate the Lesson 3.1 Nosocomial Nightmare outbreak CER or source-identification activity to use as a writing scaffold.
Platform prompts done in first 15 minutes; full CER submitted before end of period.
This is how Mr. Mendoza sees the class keeping pace with PLTW. Be honest, it only helps if it is accurate.
🎯 Students write a CER identifying the likely source and infectious agent of the outbreak.
- State a claim naming the likely source and agent of the outbreak.
- Cite epidemic-curve, map, and identification-test evidence.
- Explain reasoning that links exposure patterns to the proposed source.
- Quantify the outbreak using incidence and attack-rate values.
- Identify assumptions and limitations in the data and methods.
CER: CER naming the likely outbreak source and infectious agent, citing epidemic curve, spot map, and agent-ID evidence, including an attack rate or incidence value, and stating assumptions and limitations.
Submit on SchoologyUpload by 11:29 PM for full credit.
| Task | Who |
|---|---|
| State a claim naming the likely source and agent of the outbreak. | _______ |
| Cite epidemic-curve, map, and identification-test evidence. | _______ |
| Explain reasoning that links exposure patterns to the proposed source. | _______ |
| Quantify the outbreak using incidence and attack-rate values. | _______ |
| Identify assumptions and limitations in the data and methods. | _______ |
Working solo? Put your own name in "Who" for every row.
- Write a CER naming source and agent with multi-tool evidence.
- Include a quantitative measure and at least one limitation.
Resources & readings
Hand-picked materials for this lesson. Class file items open the document directly; the rest are vetted readings and interactives from other biomedical programs.
Lab & supplies
WebXam practice
Cumulative WebXam review
A quick mixed-review pulling questions from earlier units plus today, so the WebXam material stays fresh.
Where this leads — careers
What today's skills lead to. These are real health-science careers this course builds toward. Tap one to see, on the US Department of Labor's O*NET site, what the job actually involves, what it pays, and how fast it is growing.
What to do if you were absent
Today is individual PLTW work, so do exactly what we did in class, from home: complete the same PLTW target above, then submit your CER.
Open Schoology (CMSD) and keep goingHow to get there: open the CMSD website, click Clever, sign in with your Microsoft (district) account, then open Schoology from Clever.
Class still runs. Complete the online activity above (it's self-guided). Need the concept taught without a teacher? Use this authoritative explainer:
CDC: principles of epidemiology and outbreak investigationOptional extra credit (async)
You've passed Unit 2, so the optional extra-credit track is open. Complete reserved-unit work from home (virtual labs included) for extra credit, all submitted on Schoology.
Open the extra-credit track- CompleteEvery required part of the artifact is present, nothing left blank.
- AccurateThe science and the data are correct and match the evidence.
- Scientific reasoningYou explain your claim with evidence and reasoning (CER), not just an answer.
- Professional communicationClear, organized, labeled, and written the way a clinician or scientist would.
- SubmittedTurned in the right way (Schoology for routine work) and confirmed.
Drop your Thu, Nov 19, 2026 · Source and agent CER here. Use a clear file name (your initials + project). Routine work still goes to Schoology (via the CMSD portal).
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