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Going Viral STEM Kit

Explore how a community can protect itself from a viral outbreak!

In this storyline, students model the spread of a virus in an unvaccinated community and study a variety of microbes, using a microscope to estimate the size of a virus compared to a bacterium and a blood cell. Through a simulation, students use manipulatives to model an immune response. The spread of the virus through the community is repeated, this time with a vaccinated population. Dr. Jennifer McLean’s laboratory at CSU helped to develop this research project.

NGSS Science and Engineering Practices include: 1) developing and using models; 2) analyzing and interpreting data; 3) using mathematics and computational thinking; 4) obtaining, evaluating, and communicating information.

NGSS Crosscutting Concepts include: 1) patterns; 2) cause and effect; 3) scale, proportion and quantity; 4) systems and system models; 5) structure and function.

Class Requirements

  • 6th grade and up
  • Moderate teacher preparation
  • One to two class periods
  • 30 students or less working in pairs
  • Science notebooks
  • Safety goggles
  • Sink

Going Viral STEM Kit Resources

NGSS Disciplinary Core Ideas

  • MS-LS1.A: Structure and Function Within cells, special structures are responsible for particular functions, and the cell membrane forms the boundary that controls what enters and leaves the cell. In multicellular organisms the body is a system of multiple interacting sub-systems. These sub-systems are groups of cells that work together to for tissues and organs that are specialized for particular body functions.
  • HS-LS1.A: Structure and Function Systems of specialized cells within organisms help them perform the essential functions of life. Multicellular organisms have a hierarchical structural organization, in which any one system is made up of numerous parts and is itself a component of the next level. Feedback mechanisms maintain a living system’s internal conditions within certain limits and mediate behaviors, allowing it to remain alive and functional even as external conditions change within some range. Feedback mechanisms can encourage (through positive feedback) or discourage (negative feedback) what is going on inside the living system.

Borrowing Going Viral STEM Kits

There is no charge to educators who wish to borrow any of our STEM kits. We appreciate applications be submitted at least 2 weeks in advance of the desired use date. The loan application forms require you to confirm your email address before it will be sent to the EOC – so once you click submit, check your email (including the junk folder)! You should also get a copy of the form for your records via email, if you don’t, please contact Jordan Conley (jordan.conley@colostate.edu).