# Bioengineering Board Games Strain: A Family Game Teaches Children About Viruses By Meghan Young | Published 2012-01-04 | Lifestyle Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/strain-a-family-game References: [gizmodo](http://gizmodo.com/5872486/bio) & [thinkgeek](http://www.thinkgeek.com/geek-kids/7-13-years/ebfe/?srp=1) [Board games](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/board) often exist to teach children important life lessons in a fun and interactive manner, and 'Strain: A Family Game of Competitive Bioengineering' provides kids and adults alike with a way to learn more about science. This board game specifically deals with the idea of bio-warfare through the use of [micro-organism and virus cards](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/rebug). Made for 10-year-olds and up, Strain: A Family Game of Competitive Bioengineering encourages people to infect their fellow players by surrounding them with toxins that create a chain reaction by the end of the game. It makes players evolve, adapt, and outsmart their competition until they are the only ones left standing. Since there have been a lot of recent virus scares around the world, most recently another bout of Bird Flu in Asia, Strain: A Family Game of Competitive Bioengineering can build a healthy amount of awareness in children. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 3.5/10 - Popularity: 31% | Activity: 66% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Gen Z, Millennial - Top markets: North America ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Lifestyle](https://www.trendhunter.com/lifestyle) > [Health](https://www.trendhunter.com/health) ## Key Themes ### Why This Trend Is Growing - **Competitive Bioengineering Games:** Strain: A Family Game of Competitive Bioengineering introduces a trend of board games that teach players about the science of bio-warfare and virus manipulation. - **Interactive Science Education:** 'Strain: A Family Game of Competitive Bioengineering' represents an emerging trend in using board games as a medium to educate children about important topics like viruses and micro-organisms in an interactive and engaging way. - **Increased Awareness of Virus Risks:** Amidst recent virus scares, games like 'Strain: A Family Game of Competitive Bioengineering' can contribute to raising awareness among children about the importance of understanding viruses and taking precautions. ### Industries Being Reshaped - **Board Game Industry:** The board game industry can explore opportunities to create educational games like 'Strain: A Family Game of Competitive Bioengineering' that combine entertainment and learning in order to capture the interest of both children and adults. - **Science Education Industry:** The science education industry can leverage the concept of competitive bioengineering games to develop innovative educational resources that make learning about viruses and micro-organisms more engaging and accessible to children of various age groups. - **Health and Wellness Industry:** The health and wellness industry can explore partnerships with game developers to promote games like 'Strain: A Family Game of Competitive Bioengineering' as a tool for building awareness about virus risks and encouraging healthy practices. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Oral Health Board Games](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/oral-health-board-game.md) - [Life-Inspired Board Games](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/the-game-of-death.md) - [Mental Health Board Games](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/mindscape.md) - [Sci-Fi Avian Board Games](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/abducktion.md) - [Dog-Friendly Board Games](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/the-dogs-best-friend-game.md) - [Phygital Kids Board Games](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/tacto.md) - [Emotional Processing Board Games](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/emo.md) - [Adult Board Game Campaigns](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/ageless-innovation-hasbro.md) - [Inclusive Diverse Board Games](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/where-hope-lives.md)