{"id":39313,"date":"2024-12-02T17:25:27","date_gmt":"2024-12-02T17:25:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.embl.org\/ells\/?post_type=teachingbase&#038;p=39313"},"modified":"2026-02-24T13:58:36","modified_gmt":"2026-02-24T13:58:36","slug":"play-your-microbiome-well","status":"publish","type":"teachingbase","link":"https:\/\/www.embl.org\/ells\/teachingbase\/play-your-microbiome-well\/","title":{"rendered":"Play your microbiome well"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Game-based teaching resource on gut health<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"vf-tabs\"><ul class=\"vf-tabs__list\" data-vf-js-tabs=\"true\"><li class=\"vf-tabs__item\"><a class=\"vf-tabs__link\" href=\"#vf-tabs__section-4d1085e1-76b0-4b94-9edd-bd60b3872a87\" data-vf-js-location-nearest-activation-target=\"\">Introduction<\/a><\/li><li class=\"vf-tabs__item\"><a class=\"vf-tabs__link\" href=\"#vf-tabs__section-44b35743-c9b5-495c-aa20-33f9f2885414\" data-vf-js-location-nearest-activation-target=\"\">Resource overview<\/a><\/li><li class=\"vf-tabs__item\"><a class=\"vf-tabs__link\" href=\"#vf-tabs__section-88e3e2fe-4ca3-47c4-bb5c-f9dd6a8b0c15\" data-vf-js-location-nearest-activation-target=\"\">Resource materials<\/a><\/li><li class=\"vf-tabs__item\"><a class=\"vf-tabs__link\" href=\"#vf-tabs__section-c3cceaaf-9d18-4591-9a55-444c23825ff9\" data-vf-js-location-nearest-activation-target=\"\">Your feedback<\/a><\/li><\/ul><div class=\"vf-tabs-content\" data-vf-js-tabs-content=\"true\">\n<section class=\"vf-tabs__section\" id=\"vf-tabs__section-4d1085e1-76b0-4b94-9edd-bd60b3872a87\"><h2>Introduction<\/h2>\n<p>The human gut microbiome is a complex ecosystem of microorganisms that plays a crucial role in our overall health and well-being. With the growing scientific understanding of how lifestyle choices affect our internal microbial community, it is important to educate students about the intricate relationships between diet, environment and microbial balance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cPlay your microbiome well\u201d teaching resource invites students to explore the dynamic world of gut microbes, focusing on how daily choices can significantly influence the composition and health of their microbiome. Through an engaging, game-based approach, students discover the delicate interplay between lifestyle factors and microbial diversity.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n\n\n\n<section class=\"vf-tabs__section\" id=\"vf-tabs__section-44b35743-c9b5-495c-aa20-33f9f2885414\"><h2>Resource overview<\/h2>\n<p>\u201cPlay your microbiome well\u201d is an interactive game that navigates students through various life scenarios that can add or subtract different types of microbes, learning about the real-world impacts of diet, exercise, sleep, and other factors on their microbiome.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Game duration:<\/strong> 20-30 min<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Participants:<\/strong> 3-4 players per group<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Age of participants:<\/strong> 14 and above<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h5 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>By playing the game, students will:<\/strong><\/h5>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Understand how lifestyle choices impact gut microbiome health<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Explore real-life scenarios affecting microbial diversity<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Evaluate the consequences of diet, exercise, and environmental factors on microbiome composition<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Develop critical thinking skills about personal health choices<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>At the end of the game, players reflect on their outcomes, connecting the decisions they made in the game to real-life health and lifestyle choices. The player with the healthiest microbiome wins, but the emphasis is on the learning experience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The game is designed for small groups (3\u20134 players), allowing students to simulate real-world situations affecting their gut microbiome. Players roll dice to move along a game board, adding or losing microbe cards based on the scenarios they encounter.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n\n\n\n<section class=\"vf-tabs__section\" id=\"vf-tabs__section-88e3e2fe-4ca3-47c4-bb5c-f9dd6a8b0c15\"><h2>Resource materials<\/h2>\n<p>The resource package contains the following materials for preparing and playing the game.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h5 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Fact sheets<\/h5>\n\n\n\n<p>Provide background information on the gut microbiome, helping students connect theoretical knowledge to gameplay scenarios.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h5 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Teacher\u2019s Guide&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/h5>\n\n\n\n<p>Comprehensive instructions on setting up and facilitating the game.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Game Instructions<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Outline the rules, objectives, and mechanics of the game.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Tile legend<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Explains the actions to take when landing on different tiles, guiding players to add or remove microbe cards based on the scenario.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h5 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Game Board<\/h5>\n\n\n\n<p>Printable A3 file representing the playing area with scenarios that influence the gut microbiome.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h5 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Microbe Cards<\/h5>\n\n\n\n<p>Represent beneficial and harmful microbes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h5 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Travel and Function Cards<\/h5>\n\n\n\n<p>Introduce realistic challenges like travel-related disruptions or health interventions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h5 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Envelopes<\/h5>\n\n\n\n<p>Represent each player\u2019s gut microbiome, where they store and track their microbe cards throughout the game.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h5 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Microbe Count Sheet<\/h5>\n\n\n\n<p>An alternative for quicker setup, enabling players to track microbes gained or lost during gameplay.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Click on the buttons below to access the resource materials.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<details  class=\"vf-details\" id=\"\"  >\n<summary class=\"vf-details--summary\">\nResource in English<\/summary>\n<div class=\"acf-innerblocks-container\">\n\n<a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/drive.google.com\/file\/d\/1c1S2dp9VokJFOVU1t9jy-_k7_uxZKG_4\/view?usp=sharing\" class=\"wp-block-file__button vf-button vf-button--primary vf-button--pill vf-button--s wp-element-button\" download=\"\" aria-describedby=\"wp-block-file--media-ef85e28e-d631-41bf-92b5-56a345736fef\" style=\"margin:0 0 0 .75em;\" rel=\"noopener\">Play your microbiome_booklet<\/a><br><br>\n\n\n<a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/drive.google.com\/file\/d\/1IDoPM_CYBHoqejU0eUGrpLIDUmO8KWZ2\/view?usp=sharing\" class=\"wp-block-file__button vf-button vf-button--primary vf-button--pill vf-button--s wp-element-button\" download=\"\" aria-describedby=\"wp-block-file--media-ef85e28e-d631-41bf-92b5-56a345736fef\" style=\"margin:0 0 0 .75em;\" rel=\"noopener\">A3_game board<\/a><br><br>\n\n\n\n<a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/drive.google.com\/file\/d\/1BWdqYUMHXcPSamNuvmap6IH_CeKW9Gfs\/view?usp=sharing\" class=\"wp-block-file__button vf-button vf-button--primary vf-button--pill vf-button--s wp-element-button\" download=\"\" aria-describedby=\"wp-block-file--media-ef85e28e-d631-41bf-92b5-56a345736fef\" style=\"margin:0 0 0 .75em;\" rel=\"noopener\">A4_game materials<\/a><br><br>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/details>\n\n\n\n<details  class=\"vf-details\" id=\"\"  >\n<summary class=\"vf-details--summary\">\nResource in Portuguese<\/summary>\n<div class=\"acf-innerblocks-container\">\n\n<a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/drive.google.com\/file\/d\/16YeF1kKY3slTNPIwvR071lHJDvAya8Ne\/view?usp=sharing\" class=\"wp-block-file__button vf-button vf-button--primary vf-button--pill vf-button--s wp-element-button\" download=\"\" aria-describedby=\"wp-block-file--media-ef85e28e-d631-41bf-92b5-56a345736fef\" style=\"margin:0 0 0 .75em;\" rel=\"noopener\">Play your microbiome_booklet_PT<\/a><br><br>\n\n\n<a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/drive.google.com\/file\/d\/1eiJXi79Ir3OejZbNbdVwRiEdxn_eYuNk\/view?usp=sharing\" class=\"wp-block-file__button vf-button vf-button--primary vf-button--pill vf-button--s wp-element-button\" download=\"\" aria-describedby=\"wp-block-file--media-ef85e28e-d631-41bf-92b5-56a345736fef\" style=\"margin:0 0 0 .75em;\" rel=\"noopener\">A3_vertical_game board_PT<\/a><br><br>\n\n\n\n<a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/drive.google.com\/file\/d\/185DYnV5dVm_XzwoOdNLFVsed6o45TDbz\/view?usp=sharing\" class=\"wp-block-file__button vf-button vf-button--primary vf-button--pill vf-button--s wp-element-button\" download=\"\" aria-describedby=\"wp-block-file--media-ef85e28e-d631-41bf-92b5-56a345736fef\" style=\"margin:0 0 0 .75em;\" rel=\"noopener\">A4_vertical_game materials_PT<\/a><br><br>\n\n<a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/drive.google.com\/file\/d\/1SLMlMcjZKEry-6nwXnGVFvezGoW4LjKa\/view?usp=sharing\" class=\"wp-block-file__button vf-button vf-button--primary vf-button--pill vf-button--s wp-element-button\" download=\"\" aria-describedby=\"wp-block-file--media-ef85e28e-d631-41bf-92b5-56a345736fef\" style=\"margin:0 0 0 .75em;\" rel=\"noopener\">A4_landscape_game materials_PT<\/a><br><br>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/details>\n\n\n\n<details  class=\"vf-details\" id=\"\"  >\n<summary class=\"vf-details--summary\">\nResource in Italian<\/summary>\n<div class=\"acf-innerblocks-container\">\n\n<a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/drive.google.com\/file\/d\/1YN61mlNhdhYc7M2n9J7I74H4tpWuk45g\/view?usp=sharing\" class=\"wp-block-file__button vf-button vf-button--primary vf-button--pill vf-button--s wp-element-button\" download=\"\" aria-describedby=\"wp-block-file--media-ef85e28e-d631-41bf-92b5-56a345736fef\" style=\"margin:0 0 0 .75em;\" rel=\"noopener\">Play your microbiome_booklet_IT<\/a><br><br>\n\n\n<a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/drive.google.com\/file\/d\/107bqaQyqYVfk4N3kJ9OLoygcEWhaithc\/view?usp=sharing\" class=\"wp-block-file__button vf-button vf-button--primary vf-button--pill vf-button--s wp-element-button\" download=\"\" aria-describedby=\"wp-block-file--media-ef85e28e-d631-41bf-92b5-56a345736fef\" style=\"margin:0 0 0 .75em;\" rel=\"noopener\">A3_vertical_game board_IT<\/a><br><br>\n\n\n\n<a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/drive.google.com\/file\/d\/1YScYuPG2mqdTq_zlAUjYYeujOsF1tprQ\/view?usp=sharing\" class=\"wp-block-file__button vf-button vf-button--primary vf-button--pill vf-button--s wp-element-button\" download=\"\" aria-describedby=\"wp-block-file--media-ef85e28e-d631-41bf-92b5-56a345736fef\" style=\"margin:0 0 0 .75em;\" rel=\"noopener\">Microbiome_tile_legend_IT<\/a><br><br>\n\n<a target=\"_blank\" \nhref=\"https:\/\/drive.google.com\/file\/d\/1p82-SAqLLua1iK_fSziSRlIIAO9UAsbG\/view?usp=sharing\" class=\"wp-block-file__button vf-button vf-button--primary vf-button--pill vf-button--s wp-element-button\" download=\"\" aria-describedby=\"wp-block-file--media-ef85e28e-d631-41bf-92b5-56a345736fef\" style=\"margin:0 0 0 .75em;\" rel=\"noopener\">Microbiome_Gut_A4_IT<\/a><br><br>\n\n<a target=\"_blank\" \nhref=\"https:\/\/drive.google.com\/file\/d\/17CozRmsbHMtIDGM22YPUaZdCihKi-vgS\/view?usp=sharing\" class=\"wp-block-file__button vf-button vf-button--primary vf-button--pill vf-button--s wp-element-button\" download=\"\" aria-describedby=\"wp-block-file--media-ef85e28e-d631-41bf-92b5-56a345736fef\" style=\"margin:0 0 0 .75em;\" rel=\"noopener\">Microbiome_Gut_Envelope_A4_IT<\/a><br><br>\n\n<a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/drive.google.com\/file\/d\/1f5VuJx4aXjNAKTSGKJuVYPaQNg_RGHJc\/view?usp=sharing\" class=\"wp-block-file__button vf-button vf-button--primary vf-button--pill vf-button--s wp-element-button\" download=\"\" aria-describedby=\"wp-block-file--media-ef85e28e-d631-41bf-92b5-56a345736fef\" style=\"margin:0 0 0 .75em;\" rel=\"noopener\">Microbe_Cards_A4_IT<\/a><br><br>\n\n<a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/drive.google.com\/file\/d\/1Coj7T6WQ_mEvuzB8AuV4zKRvCWgjffeD\/view?usp=sharing\" class=\"wp-block-file__button vf-button vf-button--primary vf-button--pill vf-button--s wp-element-button\" download=\"\" aria-describedby=\"wp-block-file--media-ef85e28e-d631-41bf-92b5-56a345736fef\" style=\"margin:0 0 0 .75em;\" rel=\"noopener\">Ation_Cards_A4_IT<\/a><br><br>\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n<\/details>\n<\/section>\n\n\n\n<section class=\"vf-tabs__section\" id=\"vf-tabs__section-c3cceaaf-9d18-4591-9a55-444c23825ff9\"><h2>Your feedback<\/h2>\n<p>Your feedback on using the \u201cPlay your microbiome well\u201d teaching resource with your students is invaluable to us! Please take a moment to share your thoughts using this link: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.surveymonkey.com\/r\/PYMW_feedback\">https:\/\/www.surveymonkey.com\/r\/PYMW_feedback<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Thank you for your time and contribution!<\/p>\n<\/section>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Game-based teaching resource on gut health<\/p>\n","protected":false},"featured_media":39327,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"template":"","class_list":["post-39313","teachingbase","type-teachingbase","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","age-group-16-19","topic-area-microbiome"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.embl.org\/ells\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/teachingbase\/39313","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.embl.org\/ells\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/teachingbase"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.embl.org\/ells\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/teachingbase"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.embl.org\/ells\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/39327"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.embl.org\/ells\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=39313"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}