Data, diagnostics, and the undead: How could testing prevent a zombie apocalypse?

In this interactive masterclass (pitched at GCSE-level health literacy, maths, and probability), you will explore how data underpins the accuracy claims behind diagnostic tests, illustrated through a fictional zombie outbreak.

Using the undead to represent real-world disease, we will examine how test accuracy and infection rates influence our ability to detect and diagnose zombies. By the end, you will understand how data, diagnostics, and test accuracy principles could help us (even in the most improbable zombie apocalypse). You'll also be able to recognise how these lessons apply in the real world, for example, when undergoing testing in a healthcare context or making sense of claims from self-tests sold over the counter. We will be using allergy-friendly plastercine.

This event is part of our Masterclasses series and is open to students in Years 10 and 11.