Meet the Bugs activities

e-Bug was developed for use in schools pre-COVID-19 and so some activities may require modification based on your school’s distancing guidelines. Please use your judgement and tell us how you have modified the activities, or if you would like to discuss some ideas, contact e-Bug@phe.gov.uk

Make your own microbes (10-15 mins)

Suitable for KS1 and KS2.

This activity involves bringing microbes to life using play dough. Participants use images of different microbes, including bacteria, viruses and fungi, to create a microbe using bits of coloured play dough.

A summary of instructions for both schools and community groups can be found here. You will also find a link in the downloads section below.

Yeast Races (30 mins)

Suitable for KS2 and community groups.

This activity highlights useful microbes that we use in the food industry. It involves using the useful fungus yeast to explain how bread dough rises through the process of fermentation.

A summary of instructions for both schools and community groups can be found here. You will also find a link in the downloads section below.

If you are supporting home-learning or working with small groups of children, we have additional activities on microbes and the spread of infection in our newly launched Antibiotic Guardian Youth Badge Leader and Volunteer Activity Pack. Click here to access this resource.

Have you carried out any activities which are similar to these?

Let us know your experiences in the comments below.