Written by Olivia Sealy, currently a PhD student at Glasgow Caledonian University. She holds a BSc (Hons) in Biomedical Science and an MSc in Biomedicine. Prior to her doctoral studies, Olivia gained industry experience in autogenous vaccine production, focusing on quality control as well as research and development. Her current research interests include biofilms, antimicrobial resistance (AMR), and the development of novel therapeutic strategies.
This April, I along with my colleague Jamie Smith, had the opportunity to volunteer Edinburgh Science Festival 2025, where we spent time helping children explore the world of biofilms, through the medium of LEGO! This stall was conceived of and organised by the National Biofilms Innovation Center (NBIC).
Biofilms are communities of microorganisms encased within an extracellular polymeric substance (EPS) matrix, which can be found anywhere e.g., in your mouth, on your skin, on river rocks, or even on medical equipment. Although most people do not give much thought to biofilms, they play a huge role in everyday life and can be both beneficial and harmful.
The goal of the Lego biofilm activity was to introduce children to biofilms in a hands-on, and creative way. We set up a station where kids (of all ages) could build LEGO models of the microorganisms that make up biofilms. With colourful bricks, they constructed bacillus (rod-shaped) and cocci (spherical) bacteria, along with fungi and algae – all are key components in many natural biofilm communities. They were then able to add their LEGO bacteria models to the larger biofilm community wall.
Helping children visualise biofilm and learn about their importance was both fun and rewarding. Many were surprised to learn that something as simple as pond scum or dental plaque is made up of millions of living organisms working together. Some were fascinated by the idea that bacteria could be both helpful (like in the gut) and harmful (like in infections), while others were more focused on making the coolest-looking microbe possible with their LEGO pieces.
Throughout the event, I was inspired by how quickly the kids grasped the concept of microbial life, especially when they had the chance to build and explain their own tiny biofilm ecosystems.
This activity was not just about play; it was about sparking curiosity too. Seeing children connect what they can build to what they normally can’t see reminded me why science communication matters… With a few bricks and some imagination, we were able to take abstract biology and turn it into something tangible and exciting.
The NBIC stall at the Edinburgh Science Festival is all about making science accessible, and I feel proud to have played a part in that mission. Whether it was explaining how microbes stick to surfaces or helping to snap together a LEGO bacillus, every interaction was meaningful.
By the end of the festival, dozens of colourful biofilm models had been built, displayed on a biofilm community wall, and admired by participants and parents. But more importantly, dozens of children walked away with a new perspective on the microbial world, and hopefully a lasting interest in science.
To learn more about public engagement and science communication please visit UK Research and Innovation’s website (UKRI).
To find out more about the SHIP team head on to the GCU website, read some more of our blogs, follow us on Twitter, and connect with us on LinkedIn.