BIO A.2.3 Viruses (HL ONLY) Teacher Resource Activity Pack

These activities offer a comprehensive approach to understanding viruses, their structure, lifecycles, evolution, and interactions with hosts. By combining hands-on tasks, creative projects, simulations, and case studies, students will engage with virology concepts actively, developing critical thinking skills and making real-world connections to molecular biology and public health.

Activity Names and One-Line Summaries

1. Molecular Evolution Workshop

   • Students analyze viral genome sequences using bioinformatics tools to explore molecular evolution and viral adaptability.

2. Podcast Creation: The Life of a Virus

   • This project involves creating a podcast narrated from a virus's perspective, detailing its lifecycle, strategies, and interactions with the host.

3. Role-Playing Game: Immune System vs. Viruses

   • Students take on roles as immune system components or viruses in a game simulating the dynamic interaction between the immune response and viral infection.

4. Virtual Lab: Simulating the Lytic and Lysogenic Cycles

   • An interactive virtual lab where students simulate the lytic and lysogenic cycles of viral replication to understand their processes.

5. Virus Lifecycle Comic Strip

   • A creative activity where students depict the stages of the lytic and lysogenic cycles in a comic strip to illustrate viral replication.

6. Virus Structure Model Building Activity

   • Students create 3D models of viruses to understand their structural diversity and the functions of different components.

7. DIY Phylogenetic Tree of Viruses

   • This activity involves constructing a phylogenetic tree to show the evolutionary relationships among different viruses.

8. Interactive Case Study: HIV Drug Resistance

   • Students analyze the mechanisms behind HIV drug resistance and propose strategies for overcoming these challenges in real-world treatment.

9. Interactive Timeline: Origins of Viruses

   • Students create an interactive timeline exploring the key events, theories, and evolutionary milestones related to the origins of viruses.

10. Case Study Analysis: Influenza Evolution

    • This case study explores antigenic drift and shift in influenza, highlighting the challenges these pose for vaccine development and public health.

These activities foster a dynamic learning environment that connects virology to broader biological concepts and real-world applications, making the study of viruses engaging and relevant for students.