Free Courses for Youth
Welcome to the "Bring Home the Blue, Not the Flu!" courses!
Animal agriculture is important to our economy and is an important part of 4-H and FFA. Working with and exhibiting animals is a great experience! Not only do you gain knowledge about animals, but you also develop responsibility, good sportsmanship, and confidence.
However, there are diseases that can be spread between people and animals, whether on the farm or at a fair. These courses were created to teach you how to keep yourself and your animals safe and healthy so that you can continue to enjoy showing and teaching others about animal agriculture.
The resources on this page can be implemented in various ways. Suggestions include incorporating into a classroom curriculum, use in 4-H projects in animal or human health, preparation for FFA contests, use in competitions between clubs or chapters, or requiring completion in order to show at local or state fairs/exhibitions.


Self-Guided Online Courses
Choose a course.
Elementary School Students
- 7‐12 Year Olds
- 6 Lessons
- Each lesson is 10‐15 minutes
- Students will learn about different diseases, how diseases are spread, and how to prevent transmission between humans and animals in a fun and interactive way.
- FREE
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Lesson 1: All About Germs
Learning Goals Worksheet
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Lesson 2: Signs of Sickness
Learning Goals Worksheet
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Lesson 3: How Germs Spread
Learning Goals Worksheet
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Lesson 4: Fight Germs
Learning Goals Worksheet
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Lesson 5: Biosecurity: Keep Germs Out
Learning Goals Worksheet
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Lesson 6: What Went Wrong at the Fair?
Learning Goals Worksheet
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Glossary
Stall Sign
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Accessible Version:
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Download All Supplemental Materials »
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Middle and High School Students
- 13‐18 Year Olds
- 6 Lessons
- Each lesson is 20‐30 minutes
- Older learners will learn about specific zoonotic diseases, such as influenza, and complete case studies, and will also learn about career opportunities.
- FREE
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Lesson 1: Introduction to Influenza, Zoonoses, and Disease Risks
Learning Objectives Worksheet Comparison Chart Worksheet PowerPoint -
Lesson 2: Zoonotic Disease Transmission
Learning Objectives Worksheet Transmission Routes Worksheet PowerPoint -
Lesson 3: Zoonotic Disease Prevention and Biosecurity
Learning Objectives Worksheet PowerPoint -
Lesson 4: Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) Outbreak
Learning Objectives Worksheet PowerPoint -
Lesson 5: Influenza A Virus of Swine Origin (H3N2v) Outbreak
Learning Objectives Worksheet PowerPoint -
Lesson 6: Public and Animal Health Agencies and Careers
Learning Objectives Worksheet PowerPoint -
Glossary
Stall Sign
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Accessible Version:
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Download All Supplemental Materials »
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Hands-on Activity Guides
Now with Demo Videos!

Disease Transmission and Outbreak Investigation: Mucous Swap
Disease Transmission and Biosecurity Activity
Personal Protective Equipment Activity
Workshop Materials
for Youth Leaders and Educators

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Web-Based Classroom Platforms
Materials from these Bring Home the Blue, Not the Flu courses have also been adapted onto additional platforms to facilitate ease of use in various classroom settings. Please see the following links to Google Classroom, Seesaw, and Teachers Pay Teachers for additional free resources including educational content, classroom activities, assignments and more!
Related Resources
Disease Education Resources
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"The Junior Disease Detectives: Operation Outbreak" - graphic novel by the CDC
- Other Agriculture-Related Learning Activities
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CSTE Youth in Ag Resource Repository
Are you a Parent, Advisor, Club Leader, or Instructor?
Teacher materials are available:
- Keys to Learning Goals/Objectives and Worksheets
- Resource Guides
- Evaluations for Courses and Workshops