$20
weeklyor $120 for 6 classes
Bizarre Medical Mysteries: Real Cases That Stumped Doctors!
New class
Ages 14-17
Live Group Class
Live video meetings
1x per week, 6 weeks
1-12 learners per class
55 min
What's included
6 live meetings
5 hrs 30 mins in-class hoursClass Experience
US Grade 5 - 8
We will be looking at famous historical medical mysteries like the Dancing Plague of 1518, Typhoid Mary, and King Tutkahamun's death. This also includes environmental and public health crises like the Great London Fog of 1952. In addition, we will be looking at genetic conditions and the evolution of medical science. We will be looking at ethical discussions about public health and personal freedom in disease control. How is the class structured? Weekly we meet, and each week we focus on a standalone case study or topic. We begin with introductions which include a brief overview of the topic. Then we engage with the case through group discussions, clue analysis, role-playing, or interactive games. Then we wrap up and share key takeaways and discuss how the mystery relates to modern science or history. Note: Learners can join any week without needing prior knowledge, though attending consistently builds a richer understanding of the topic. ' How do I teach? I use slides and visual aids in every session to engage with historical photos, medical illustrations, and data charts. Then I use video clips usually short. These illustrate concepts like animations that explain genetics or documentaries on historical events. Finally, we use interactive activities like role-playing as medical detectives to solve cases. Group discussions where learners share and debate theories and games like clue hunts or diagnosis challenges to keep the session fun and engaging. There will also be live demonstrations where I will guide learners through key ideas, like constructing a genetic family tree or analyzing historical documents. What is the teaching style? My style is interactive and learner-centered. I aim to create a collaborative environment where learners feel encouraged to ask questions, share their thoughts, and participate actively. While I will guide the discussions with lectures and structured activities, the emphasis is on engaging learners as investigators and thinkers. How much interaction will Learners have with me? Learners will interact with me throughout the class. I will lead group discussions and provide real-time feedback on their ideas and theories. During activities I will act as a facilitator, helping learners analyze clues, answer questions, and refine their understanding. Learners can ask questions at any time either through speaking or using the chat feature. Finally, after each class, I am available for follow-up questions or additional guidance via Outschool's messaging system. Some classes have students debating ethical questions, such as balancing public health with individual freedoms. Other times we will have group projects where students will collaboratively analyze data or historical records to solve a mystery.
Learning Goals
Critical Thinking and Analysis: how to evaluate historical evidence and analyze clues from real medical cases.
Medical Science Concepts: Epidemiology-understanding how diseases spread, the role of carriers. and the importance of public health practices.
Syllabus
Curriculum
Follows Teacher-Created CurriculumStandards
Aligned with Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS)6 Lessons
over 6 WeeksLesson 1:
The Dancing Plague of 1518
In 1518, residents of Strasbourg (then part of the Holy Roman Empire) were struck by a mysterious compulsion to dance uncontrollably for days, sometimes until they collapsed or died. This bizarre event became known as the Dancing Plague. We will look at accounts and learn about the theories like ergot poisoning, and mass hysteria.
55 mins online live lesson
Lesson 2:
Typhoid Mary: The Silent Carrier
Typhoid Mary, a cook in early 20th century New York, unknowingly spread typhoid fever to numerous people while showing no symptoms herself. She became a symbol of the dangers of asymptomatic carriers. Students will learn about the concepts of carriers in infectious diseases, the history of typhoid fever, and how public health responses have evolved. We will explore the ethics of quarentining individuals for the greater good.
55 mins online live lesson
Lesson 3:
The Mystery of King Tut's Death
King Tutankhamun, the young Egyptian pharaoh, died unexpectedly at the age of 18. His death has been a subject of speculation for decades, with theories ranging from murder to a genetic disorder to an accident. Students will examine the various theories about King Tut's death, including genetic conditions, a blow to the head, and malaria.
55 mins online live lesson
Lesson 4:
The Great London Fog of 1952
In December 1952, London experienced a severe air pollution event known as the "Great Smog," which led to thousands of deaths. It was later revealed that the smog contained high levels of toxic pollutants, and this event significantly changed environmental health policies. Students will explore the link between air pollution and respiratory diseases, and how the Great Smog of 1952 became a turning point in environmental health.
55 mins online live lesson
Other Details
Learning Needs
This class uses differentiated instructional methods. For visual learners we use images and diagrams. For auditory learners, we have detailed verbal explanations, and kinesthetic learners will have role playing hhands-onactivities.
Parental Guidance
Some case studies such as the Dancing Plague of 1518 or the Great London Fog of 1952, involve accounts of people dying or suffering serious health effects. These events may be upsetting to some learners sensitive to topics involving death or illness. Disease and epidemics like the story of Typhoid Mary and discussions about infectious diseases may raise concerns, particularly for learners with anxiety about illness. Genetic disorders and physical appearances like the discussion of the Blue People of Kentucky involve descriptions of unusual physical traits. Finally, there are ethical dilemmas that may require thoughtful facilitation to avoid making learners uncomfortable.
External Resources
Learners will not need to use any apps or websites beyond the standard Outschool tools.
Sources
Books:
The Dancing Plague: The Strange, True Story of an Extraordinary Illness by John Waller.
Typhoid Mary: Captive to the Public's Health by Judith Walzer Leavitt
The Discovery of the Tomb of Tutankhamun by Howard Carter.
The Great Smog of 1952: Environmental Crisis and its Legacy by Peter Brimblecombe.
Articles:
Scientific America, National Geographic and Smithsonian Magazine Articles on the Blue People of Kentucky, King Tut, and other Medical Mysteries.
PPeer-reviewed journals on methemoglobinemia, genetic disorders, and public health crisis.
Websites:
CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.)
History.com
National Library of Medicine
World Health Organization
Videos:
Clips from PBS's Secretes of the Dead series
National Geographic documentaries on ancient Egypt and genetic studies.
Educational Youtube channels like SciShow, and Ted-ed for overviews.
Meet the teacher
Teacher expertise and credentials
I bring a multidisciplinary background that blends history, science, and education, with a strong focus on engaging learners through storytelling, inquiry-based learning, and hands-on exploration.
Masters Degree in History, focused on public history and interdisciplinary studies.
Certified Teacher in teaching history grades K-12
Over 20 years of teaching with conducted classes on history, and literature. Experience working with learners of diverse ages, abilities, and backgrounds in both online and in person settings.
Skilled in creating age-appropriate content for learners while fostering advanced critical thinking for older students.
Developed and taught classes on historical mysteries, scientific discoveries, and environmental health.
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