'Science Fun Days': Opportunities for Connecting Primary School Pupils With Nature and Microbiology.

ABSTRACT: Microbes are essential for the functioning of life on earth, yet a lack of awareness of their positive activities persists in society. In the UK, microbiology is scarcely taught before secondary education. Therefore, we organised 'Science Fun Days' for primary school pupils (aged 9-11 years) in 2024 and 2025, with the aims of increasing their microbiological awareness and, more generally, promoting positive attitudes towards science and nature. Over 450 pupils attended a Science Fun Day hosted at the University of Essex, which involved hands-on activities in the laboratory and outdoors. Pre-event and post-event surveys were completed by 307 and 305 of these pupils, respectively, from across seven schools. The surveys revealed that, after participating in a Science Fun Day, the proportion o

SUBMITTER: Archer EJ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12696025 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature