Viruses and Vaccines
Our Viruses and Vaccines activity resources have been developed by a team of pathologists, creatives and public engagement practitioners to facilitate informed discussions about viruses and vaccines. The collection below includes art-science resources, guides to hands-on STEM activities for schools, video interviews and guides, and an FAQ section. Use these free resources to explore the fascinating world of viruses, and to understand more about the science behind COVID-19, immunity and vaccines. Pathologists are invited to use the resources as a way to open conversations about these topics with the public, and we’re hopeful they will help dispel common myths and misconceptions.
The Viruses and Vaccines resources cover the following topics:
- the structure of viruses and how this enables them to transmit and replicate between and in human hosts
- transmission of viruses / how epidemics start; behaviours that increase / decrease transmission
- how scientists study viruses and use this understanding to develop vaccines
- why vaccines are important and how they work.
Many of the resources can be used in supporting delivery of biology concepts and themes found in school curricula.
Art-science activities
Download and print the resources below and use them to discover viruses and vaccines through colouring in and origami. If you don't have a printer, you can still do the origami activities using any paper. You can also draw your own viruses and get ideas from the drawings and from our Get inspired science images resource.
Viruses and Vaccines – art-science resources
Art-science videos
As well as the 'how to fold' origami videos and the 'conversations with pathologists' videos below, you can also enjoy watching Dr Lizzie Burns demonstrating the activities in our time lapse video playlist.
