biostudies-literatureUnknown13Harris FREnsuring the public has a fundamental understanding of human-microbe interactions, immune responses, and vaccines is a critical challenge in the midst of a pandemic. These topics are commonly taught in undergraduate- and graduate-level microbiology and immunology courses; however, creating engaging methods of teaching these complex concepts to students of all ages is necessary to keep younger students interested when science seems hard. Building on the Tactile Teaching Tools with Guided Inquiry Learning (TTT-GIL) method we used to create an interactive <i>lac</i> operon molecular puzzle, we report here two TTT-GIL activities designed to engage diverse learners from middle schoolers to masters students in exploring molecular interactions within the immune system. By pairing physical models Frontiers in microbiology966282https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC9453673biostudies-literatureHands-on immunology: Engaging learners of all ages through tactile teaching tools.PMC9453673Gordy CLHarris FRSikes MLGoller CCSjogren CAHasley AOBergman MRamirez MVfalseHands-on immunology: Engaging learners of all ages through tactile teaching tools.Ensuring the public has a fundamental understanding of human-microbe interactions, immune responses, and vaccines is a critical challenge in the midst of a pandemic. These topics are commonly taught in undergraduate- and graduate-level microbiology and immunology courses; however, creating engaging methods of teaching these complex concepts to students of all ages is necessary to keep younger students interested when science seems hard. Building on the Tactile Teaching Tools with Guided Inquiry Learning (TTT-GIL) method we used to create an interactive <i>lac</i> operon molecular puzzle, we report here two TTT-GIL activities designed to engage diverse learners from middle schoolers to masters students in exploring molecular interactions within the immune system. By pairing physical models 2022-01-01T00:00:00Z20222025-04-20T00:39:47.108Z2025-04-20T00:39:47.108ZS-EPMC94536733609006210.3389/fmicb.2022.966282