The British Society for Immunology has developed a new selection of free public engagement resources about the immunology of cancer and immunotherapy. This collection of interactive activities is suitable for ages 6+ and are designed to be used by researchers at public events such as science festivals and in schools as fun educational tools.
Click on each activity below to download the resources, including detailed facilitator instructions, guides on how to run the activities, printable sheets and lists of materials you’ll need. Enjoy having some hands-on fun whilst exploring the immunology of cancer and how immunotherapy works! These activities are for free to download and share.
What is our immune system?
A matching pairs card game to introduce the different cells of our immune system and how cancer cells can hide from being detected by the immune cells.
You'll need to print the playing cards.
Let's talk about cancer
A simple activity to match the words to their definitions and introduce the key concepts around cancer immunology.
You'll need to print the activity sheet.
Immunology spot the difference
A spot the difference activity to demonstrate why the immune system can’t always spot cancer cells.
You'll need to print the images.
Immunotherapy darts
A game of darts with a twist! A fun activity to explain how cancer immunotherapy works.
Immunotherapy: a targeted approach
A hands-on game to visualise immunotherapy as a more targeted therapy for cancer.
We recognise that engaging with the public about cancer immunology can be a sensitive topic and everyone has their own personal experience with cancer. As scientists, engaging with the public about the vital research around immunotherapy is valuable but can be difficult so we’ve pulled together advice for how to approach these conversations. You can read our top tips to help researchers have confidence to talk about cancer immunology.
Activities have been developed by the British Society for Immunology and science communication professionals Lisa Whittaker and Beejal Parekh. Thank you to BSI members, especially Ximena Raffo Iraolagoitia, for valuable feedback and helpful testing of these activities.