Illustration for the Give it a shot game where you simulate pandemics. The words "Give it a Shot" hover over a map that has cartoon people outlined with different colors standing on the map.

Give It A Shot

An Outbreak and Pandemic Simulator

Viruses and bacteria that cause disease seem to be a larger part of our lives these days. Measles, COVID-19, avian flu, and other diseases seem to always have us asking... how do we avoid catching it? How can we help stop the spread? With COVID-19, masks and distancing have been very important in slowing the spread of the disease. But is this the case in all pandemic situations? We also know how important vaccines are in helping to keep people safe from a variety of virus. But how much do they matter in the bigger picture?

Now, you can answer these questions and more by playing out as many simulations as you want to learn how population size, masking, distancing, and vaccinating can help slow the spread of measles, influenza, COVID-19, and polio with Give It A Shot.

SARS-CoV-2 illustration

For basic instructions before you get started, check out our Quick Start video for our similar game, COVID SIM:

View Citation

You may need to edit author's name to meet the style formats, which are in most cases "Last name, First name."

Bibliographic details:

  • Article: Give It A Shot
  • Author(s): Dr. Biology
  • Publisher: Arizona State University School of Life Sciences Ask A Biologist
  • Site name: ASU - Ask A Biologist
  • Date published: June 28, 2022
  • Date accessed: April 17, 2024
  • Link: https://askabiologist.asu.edu/games-and-simulations/give-it-a-shot

APA Style

Dr. Biology. (2022, June 28). Give It A Shot. ASU - Ask A Biologist. Retrieved April 17, 2024 from https://askabiologist.asu.edu/games-and-simulations/give-it-a-shot

American Psychological Association. For more info, see http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/560/10/

Chicago Manual of Style

Dr. Biology. "Give It A Shot". ASU - Ask A Biologist. 28 June, 2022. https://askabiologist.asu.edu/games-and-simulations/give-it-a-shot

For more info, see http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/717/04/

MLA 2017 Style

Dr. Biology. "Give It A Shot". ASU - Ask A Biologist. 28 Jun 2022. ASU - Ask A Biologist, Web. 17 Apr 2024. https://askabiologist.asu.edu/games-and-simulations/give-it-a-shot

Modern Language Association, 7th Ed. For more info, see http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/747/08/
An image showing SARS-CoV-2 viruses, and a few different vaccines (shot, dropper, and nasal spray)

To get an A to Z lesson on vaccines including their history, read our story Vaccine Science.

Be Part of
Ask A Biologist

By volunteering, or simply sending us feedback on the site. Scientists, teachers, writers, illustrators, and translators are all important to the program. If you are interested in helping with the website we have a Volunteers page to get the process started.

Donate icon  Contribute

Share this page:

 

Share to Google Classroom