Immunisation – protecting our children from disease

Activities

1. A model of disease transmission

2. Aspects of immunisation

3. Terms relating to immunisation

4. Library research on an infectious disease

Other activities

Summer Research Program for Science Teachers (Columbia University, USA)
Immunization – helps students gain a better understanding of the contents and origin of vaccines. They should understand the relationship of the vaccine to primary and secondary immune responses of the body. (Note: Students should have an understanding of basic humoral immunity before using this lesson)

Access Excellence (USA)
Demonstrating an epidemic – students transfer bacteria by shaking hands then determine which individual started the 'epidemic'.

Seeing Science (Central Laboratory of the Research Councils, UK)
Anthrax – using data and evidence supplied, pupils identify a mystery disease, watch a cartoon on the history of vaccination, answer questions on Jenner's work and role-play the outbreak of a 'new' disease.

Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry (UK)
Infectious diseases and their treatment: Immunity – provides information about diseases and their treatment, and poses some questions.

The College of Physicians of Philadelphia, USA
The history of vaccines - This site offers a range of games, online resources, multimedia and teacher lesson plans for use in biology, health and general science subjects. The content is targeted at high school level but can be adapted for use in middle or primary school settings.

  • How Vaccines Work (Online activity)
    In this computer simulation, students learn about the human immune system’s response to vaccination. After viewing the simulation, student demonstrate what they have learned by sequencing and labelling the steps involved in the process.

  • Illsville: Fight the Disease (Online game)
    An exciting online game where students race to protect the population of Illsville from disease and attempt to gain all the medical knowledge that is necessary to develop vaccines. Students learn about history, disease and public health while progressing from the Age of Disease to the Age of Vaccines.

  • The Scientific Method (Online activity)
    This activity immerses students in a disease outbreak. Students apply the scientific method in an epidemiological setting to pinpoint the source of an illness.

  • Timelines (Multimedia)
    Multimedia timelines on disease and vaccines, immunisation pioneers, scientific breakthroughs and social issues show the sweeping history of vaccination.

  • Articles
    A variety of articles on scientific and historical topics related to immunisation.

Sciberbrain.com (USA)
Vaccinations – the teachers guide. A comprehensive collection of vaccination resources including complete teacher lesson plans, student activities, discussion questions and internet resources.

World of viruses (USA)
Influenza Virus - A compiled list of teacher and classroom activities and resources for a range of class levels that discuss vaccination and the influenza virus in particular.

Discovery education (USA)
Common vaccinations - Lesson plan library. These lesson plans are aimed at grades 6 – 8 and aim to help students learn about how vaccines work and the different types of vaccinations.

TES Teacher resources (UK)
Secondary - Vaccinations: Teacher Sheets – This lesson plan covers the topic of disease prevention through vaccinations. Students take part in a simulation to see how vaccines are used to prevent the spread of infections.

Want to receive updates? Sign up to receive NOVA email alerts.

External sites are not endorsed by the Australian Academy of Science.
Page updated November 2012.