ORKNEY SCIENCE FESTIVAL 
In September 2025, we travelled to Orkney, a remote archipelago of Scottish islands, to take part in the 
local Science Festival’s Family Day, which is held in early September. Participants took part in our Build a 
LEGO Biofilm activity where they buiit their own LEGO micro-organisms, either by following instructions for 
models we had designed, or by creating their own using a combination of imagination and reference images 
of real microorganisms that we provided. Once completed, their creations were added to our ‘biofilm wall’, 
contributing to a giant LEGO biofilm composed of many species of micro-organisms living together, just as 
they would in nature. The models we designed offered varying levels of building complexity, allowing people 
of all ages, from 5 to 73, to engage in LEGO building while exploring the fascinating world of biofilms. We 
thoroughly enjoyed interacting with over 500 people during the festival each year, and we look forward to 
returning for many more activities. In 2025, we also visited over 200 pupils in primary schools scattered across 
Orkney’s mainland, to deliver some more in-depth engagement activities about biofilms. After two years at the 
festival, we have begun to build connections with local communities in Orkney. We look forward to returning 
in 2026 with an expanded programme that will allow us to engage with an even wider range of audiences.
NOTTINGHAM FESTIVAL OF SCIENCE & CURIOSITY
In February 2026, our team participated in the Festival of Science and Curiosity at Nottingham Central 
Library, delivering an interactive public engagement activity titled ‘The Secret Lives of Microbes’. More than 
260 visitors of all ages explored the world of microbial communities through hands-on demonstrations and 
creative activities. Microbial models were created using Plah-Doh and constructed into a biofilm in a drainpipe 
alongside discussing different species using Giant Microbe toys. The more competitive visitors participated 
in the ‘stick or slide’ race to propel beads representing microbes along tubes with or without biofilm matrix 
using air filled syringes to mirror the challenge of eliminating biofilms using antibiotics. ​In an exit poll, visitors 
considered researching biofilms in the environment, humans and plants equally critical, and marginally more 
important than those in animals. The team contributed educational content to the festival magazine, extending 
opportunities for children and families to engage with microbiology beyond the event. NBIC Nottingham 
Co-director, Prof Kim Hardie, participated in Soapbox Science at Nottingham’s Speakers’ Corner, attracting 
>500 people. The event showcases women scientists and challenges gender stereotypes. Kim delivered an 
interactive talk, ‘Bacteria: How they live with each other and cause infections’, exploring bacterial interactions, 
their role in infection, and how advanced imaging and realistic biofilm models help us understand them.
SOUTHAMPTON SCIENCE &  ENGINEERING FESTIVAL 
In March 2026, our team took part in the Southampton Science and Engineering Festival (SOTSEF) at the 
University of Southampton. Attracting over 5,000 visitors each year, the festival offers a wide range of 
engaging, hands-on activities across the University’s campuses, with more than 140 activities designed to 
bring science and engineering to life for audiences of all ages. As part of the festival, we showcased our Build 
a LEGO Biofilm activity. We helped spark curiosity, raise awareness of biofilm science and demonstrate how 
creative activities can make complex scientific concepts more engaging and accessible to the public.
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