Real-Life Brain-Eating Zombie Parasites
Real life parasites that can cause their zombie hosts to play guard, attract predators, or simply explode in a shower of goo.
David Nielsen
Average rating:
4.8
Number of reviews:(104)
What's included
3 live meetings
2 hrs 15 mins in-class hoursClass Experience
US Grade 5 - 8
This class is a great way to learn about insects, parasites, and ecology. This class focuses heavily on several classic insect types such as wasps, snails, birds, ants, caterpillars, spiders, and some unusual fungi and viruses. There are 13 such interactions in this course each highlighting a particular ecology of predator and prey. If your learner loves bugs, germs, or zombies this will be a fun course. My class is structured by looking at each zombie for about 4-5 minutes. we'll go through the life cycle for each organism that's involved, their roles in the ecosystem, how it gets zombified and how the parasite reproduces itself. We'll, look at some pictures, discuss, and move on to the next. It really is an interesting way at looking issues in ecology. I teach using a combination of discussion and pictures on a slide presentation. My teaching style tends to focus on lots of pictures, some explanation, and then discussion of the content. Learners will interact with me through looking at the pictures, hearing the explanation, asking questions, and talking with their peers. Learners do not need any particular knowledge or experience.
Learning Goals
By the end of the class...
Students should learn about host/parasite interactions and predator/prey interactions
Featured animals snails, spiders, insects, fungi, bacteria, and trematodes (worms)
Other Details
Parental Guidance
This is purely a nature class. The "zombies" in this case are plants or animals that have been infected with a parasite that can cause some very unusual behaviors in the host. Of course there might be an "ick" factor involved a little bit since parasites by definition aren't very nice. But the tone of the class is light and it is appropriate for all ages.
External Resources
Learners will not need to use any apps or websites beyond the standard Outschool tools.
Joined April, 2020
4.8
104reviews
Teacher expertise and credentials
Washington Teaching Certificate in Science
I've been a middle school and high school science teacher for 9 years. I was a molecular biologist before that (this is way more fun). But there's no sensitive or high risk topics beyond this weird niche in the ecosystem.Reviews
Live Group Class
$60
for 3 classes3x per week, 1 week
45 min
Completed by 8 learners
Live video meetings
Ages: 11-16
3-12 learners per class
