Their task is to determine what type of microbe causes the illness, how it is transmitted, and how it could be stopped. Lab researchers analyze samples to determine what infectious agents might be present. Library researchers consult the world wide web and text references to correlate symptoms with known diseases. Documentarians create videotaped documentaries of their group's progress. Interviewers conduct interviews with doctors, nurses, persons who had been infected, etc, to get the facts of how the disease is being transmitted and the associated symptoms.
Press secretaries provide regular briefings on their group's progress.
This is a large scale activity that students conducted over the entire two week period. It is very enjoyable for them as well as for the staff. Each group produces a videotaped documentary of their progress and presents it on the last day to their friends and family.