Game design for viruses and vaccines
Game design is a creative and innovative way to build understanding of science concepts and express them within a meaningful context. It combines aspects of science, technology, digital technology, literacy and the arts.
My game is set in ImmunoCity – basically the internals of your body. These little white blood cell-like creatures chase after the little crowned, spiky viruses. It’s basically like how blood cells in your body take down and destroy the virus.
Anya, D-Bug Game Design Challenge participant
Educational research shows:
game playing allows students to explore science topics – and approaches to learning – in an active manner
games provide low-risk settings that enable students to consider larger-scale, real-world impacts
game-based scenarios help students learn about their own agency
the fun of gameplay is advantageous to diverse learners who may find the content challenging if taught in a conventional manner.
The D-Bug Game Design Challenge
Antonia Hoeta and Dr Karyn Maclennan came up with a novel way to engage young people with science information and help dispel misinformation and disinformation about viruses and vaccines.
Questions for discussion
Antonia believes that gaming is the best way to get information across to people. What do you think about this method?
Which game idea appeals to you? Why?
In this activity, students use their knowledge of viruses, methods of viral transmission and infection, and defence strategies – including our immune systems and vaccines – to design a game. The game can take many forms – a visual representation, diorama with 3D models and/or digital technology.
By the end of this activity, students should be able to:
observe and recreate some of the basic structures of a virus
discuss methods of viral transmission and infection
discuss some of the ways our immune system protects us from viral infection
discuss some defence strategies we can use to protect ourselves from viral infections
use this information to create characters in a physical or digital game
use this information to create a narrative about viruses, transmission and defence strategies
use this information to create a game or game idea.
Infographic factsheets
The Science of Medicines – Whakatere Waka project uses games and game design as part of its outreach. The team has created infographic factsheets that provide helpful background information:
Download the Word file (see link below).
