Common Sense Media Review
Detect diseases with terrific blend of mystery and science.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 14+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Download
Videos and Photos
Solve the Outbreak
Parent and Kid Reviews
Privacy Rating Warning
Privacy Rating
Our expert evaluators create our privacy ratings. The ratings are designed to help you understand how apps use your data for commercial purposes.
Pass
Meets our minimum requirements for privacy and security practices.
Warning
Does not meet our recommendations for privacy and security practices.
Fail
Does not have a privacy policy and should not be used.
Privacy Rating
Our expert evaluators create our privacy ratings. The ratings are designed to help you understand how apps use your data for commercial purposes.
Pass
Meets our minimum requirements for privacy and security practices.
Warning
Does not meet our recommendations for privacy and security practices.
Fail
Does not have a privacy policy and should not be used.
What's It About?
Solving mysteries is engaging, and saving lives is rewarding. In SOLVE THE OUTBREAK, kids get to do both. There are 12 realistic outbreak scenarios to choose from, each with its own clever title. Once kids tap on a scenario, a box pops up that provides the following data: number sick, hospitalizations, deaths, and location. Kids tap the start button to continue and are presented with a brief overview of the mission. Once they accept the mission, kids have to analyze the scenario using clues, data, and definitions of key vocabulary terms. They must correctly answer a series of questions in order to determine the source of the disease and the best course of action to prevent further illnesses and deaths. Kids earn points as they work through the scenario and can make their way from "Trainee" to "Disease Detective." They can also earn achievements such as "Smarty Pants" for looking up glossary terms and "Clever Clogs" for correctly answering four answers in an outbreak. Social media is integrated in the app so kids can share their scores and progress.
Is It Any Good?
The CDC has done an impressive job of creating an engaging, realistic approach to teaching kids about epidemiology. Solving the outbreaks motivates and empowers kids while building strong critical thinking skills. Kids get immediate feedback when answering questions, including an explanation for an incorrect answer. Success depends somewhat on prior knowledge, so kids who are familiar with health science topics will likely experience less frustration when trying to solve the outbreaks.
There are plenty of helpful links for kids who want to learn more or who need some extra help. For example, each term in the glossary is followed by a link to a website where users can learn about the term in further detail or context.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Discuss the basics of disease control and prevention prior to solving the outbreaks. Visit the CDC website together for help.
Have kids write their own outbreak scenarios with clues and data and see if you can solve it.
App Details
- Devices : iPad , Android
- Subjects : Science : biology
- Skills : Thinking & Reasoning : analyzing evidence , applying information , asking questions , decision-making , thinking critically
- Pricing structure : Free
- Release date : December 17, 2013
- Genre : Education
- Topics : STEM
- Publisher : Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
- Version : 2.5.1
- Minimum software requirements : iOS 8.0 or later
- Last updated : October 1, 2025
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