Unit Overview

Youth use the Engineering Design Process to design a working model of an antiviral to stop a virus from attaching to a cell. Youth develop models of common viruses, collect data on how viruses get into cells, and modify their antiviral designs when the model virus mutates.

  • Grades 6-8
  • Setting: Enrichment
  • 9 activities
  • 45–60 minutes per activity
  • Youth materials available in Spanish

Standards alignment

YES Enrichment units connect with state and national standards. View unit-specific Engineering Antivirals Alignment or all Standards Alignments.

Unit Map

Youth engineer a model water tower and learn about the Engineering Design Process, a 5-phase problem-solving tool.

Youth develop models of common viruses to investigate how viruses get into cells.

Youth build and collect data on a particular model virus. They imagine and plan antivirals that meet the criteria and constraints.

Youth create, test, and improve their antivirals.

Youth modify their antivirals when the model virus mutates.

Youth learn about safety precautions when working with viruses. They create quarantine boxes to keep the workers isolated from the virus.

Youth create public service announcements about staying healthy when a virus is spreading.

Youth reflect on their engineering skills and learn about careers related to developing antivirals.

Youth present their model antivirals and share their processes with guests. Do this activity last to showcase all of the learning.

This unit is adapted from the previous Engineering Everywhere version, Outbreak Alert!: Engineering a Pandemic Response. To access the resources for the previous version, click here.

What’s Included?

  • Educator Guide (PDF)
  • Optional Educator Slides (Google Slides)
  • Youth Engineering Notebook (PDF)
  • Comic (PDF or Slides)
  • Print Materials (PDF)