A child-centric microbiology education framework

The MicroStars-That-Engage-Our-Senses Gallery

Microbes are by definition very small, so small that they cannot generally be seen by the naked eye. Visualisation requires powerful microscopes. So….out of sight, out of mind; we do not think much about microbes. Except for microbiologists, who think about them all the time. And yet, they are all around and on us, and their activities profoundly influence us and all other organisms of the biosphere. And indeed the planet. So we certainly need to appreciate the all-pervasive nature of microbes and how they affect us. And, although we mostly cannot see individual microbes without a microscope, if we know what to look for we can see some of the structures they build as populations and communities. And…not only see….some we can actually feel, smell, taste and, yes, even hear. In fact, all of our senses can detect some microbes, their activities or their products. Let’s learn about those microbes that engage our senses, how they do it and how we can recognise them!