The Virtual Activity Co-Creation Initiative for Novel Engagement (VACCINE) project was one of the ORION Open Science experiments in co-creation. Babraham Institute scientists and public engagement professionals worked with students at a local state school to produce a game which engages members of the public with the science behind infections, immunity and vaccinations. The result: Virus Fighter.

A group of 25 Year 9 students at the Cambridge Academy for Science and Technology self-selected to take part in two co-creation sessions to help develop the game. In a design workshop, students were able to share their ideas for what the game should look like, and how it should work. These ideas were used to build a prototype model which was then sent back to students for further input in a testing workshop.
77% of student participants agreed that “taking part in this project has shown me that young people like me can make important contributions to real-life science projects”. Two-thirds agreed that through participating they were “more aware of the benefits that vaccination has for our society”.
Quotes from participants:
“A unique project, very relevant to students at the moment that we were in lockdown… students engaged with the content and managed to put their ideas through in a very creative way.” – Teacher.
“Working on this project has had a very positive impact on my career and excitement about doing science outreach. It has been great to work collaboratively” – PhD candidate.
“[It] made me feel like I’m actually contributing to society”; “[I liked] that our ideas were actually considered” – Students.
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ORION has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement Nº741527.