Immune System Memory Game

The immune system works to help keep our bodies safe from millions of tiny organisms that could make us sick.

Age Appropriateness

12 years old

INTRODUCTION

Everyday our bodies come in contact with millions of tiny organisms and particles that could potentially make us sick. Despite this, most people only get sick every once and a while. This is because our bodies are equipped with a fantastic defense team called the Immune System. The Immune System works with several other major body systems, including the circulatory system, as well as hormones, proteins, white blood cells and red blood cells to help keep our bodies safe from outside invaders.

In the activity we will:

To learn about parts of the immune system by playing a memory game.

Materials

At least one friend or adult
One set of 30 Immune System Memory cards (see below)
Poster board or cardboard
Glue stick
Scissors
Laminating paper (optional)

Safety

Be careful while using scissors. Ask an adult to help you if necessary.

Preparation

Using the glue stick, glue each of the sheets of the memory cards to a piece of poster board or cardboard.
If you have laminating sheets, laminate each of the sheets after you have glued them onto the cardboard.
Cut out each of the cards along the black lines.
You are now ready to play the game

Pre-Activity

There are two types of cards that are going to be used in this game. Half of the cards are description cards and have only words on them. The other half of the cards has a labeled picture on them. For every picture card there is a matching description card. The goal of this game is to match the description with its picture.

Activity

Find a flat surface to play the memory game.
Mix up all the cards and lay them out on the flat surface in a 5 x 6 grid.
The first player begins by choosing two cards of his or her choice. If the player picks two cards that are matching description and picture cards, that player reads the description to the other player(s) and shows them the picture. This player then gets to keep this matching pair of cards. He or she gets to take another turn. If the player does not choose matching cards, he or she turns them back over in the same spot and the next player gets to take a turn.
The next player repeats step 3 above.
Play continues around to all of the players until all of the cards are turned over and matched. The player with the most matches at the end of the game wins!

Extension Activity

If you are interested in finding out more information about the immune system, please refer to the web resources below or search for books about immunity at your local library or favorite bookstore.

Summary

The immune system is one of the many amazing ways your body can keep itself healthy and fit. Now that you have learned about all the different parts of the immune system and how they work, share your game with your friends so that they can learn how their bodies fight off infections and illness too!

Resources

http://medmyst.rice.edu/html/lessons/MM-TM2-33.pdf

http://wikipedia.org/

http://www.thebody.com/step/immune.html

http://health.howstuffworks.com/immune-system.htm

Picture Credits

Activity PDF: immune_system_memory_game.pdf