The Smithsonian Science Education Center, in collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO) and the InterAcademy Partnership (IAP) has developed “COVID-19! How can I protect myself and others?” a new rapid-response guide for youth ages 8–17. The guide, which is based on the UN Sustainable Development Goals, aims to help young people understand the scientific and social aspects of COVID-19 as well as help them take actions to keep themselves, their families and communities safe. Through a set of seven cohesive student-led tasks, participants engage in the activities to answer questions previously defined by their peers. The questions explore the impact of COVID-19 on the world, how to practice hand and respiratory hygiene and physical distancing, and how to research more information about COVID-19. The final task teaches youth how they can take action on the new scientific knowledge they learn to improve their health and the health of others. Each task is designed to be completed at home. The guide includes updated research, activities, quotes from scientists and frontline public health officials, and physical and emotional safety tips on COVID-19. It also integrates inquiry-based science education with social and emotional learning and civic engagement.

This was not the only initiatives dedicated to children aimed to explain how to manage the COVID-19 emergency. The conect4children network (c4c) brought together a range of trusted resources, in a variety of European languages and formats, to empower and enable children and their families to access necessary information on COVID-19. These resources can be accessed at this link.