Implementing a professional youth mentoring program during times of crisis: lessons from the global pandemic.

Microbiology education in secondary schools is challenged by conceptual complexity and limited laboratory infrastructure, often reducing student engagement with infectious disease topics. This study presents , a low-cost, card-based educational game that integrates pathogen biology, transmission routes, immune responses and preventive strategies into an interactive learning experience. Quantitative learning gains and qualitative analyses of student dialogue demonstrate significant improvements in conceptual integration and scientific reasoning, moving students beyond memorization toward systems-level understanding. Adaptable and scalable, MicroBioCombat offers an accessible pedagogical model for resource-limited educational contexts. Given the global importance of infectious disease awareness and antimicrobial resistance literacy, this work contributes evidence that structured gamification can meaningfully strengthen microbiology education and early scientific literacy.