imd in Argentina
A Journey into the Microbial Universe
When: 17 September
Time: All day
Where: Primary schools in La Plata, Buenos Aires, Argentina
A journey into the Microbial Universe engages primary school students through two interactive educational activities. Older children explore microorganisms and the One Health concept through thematic stations, while younger students become Food Safety Guardians, learning safe food practices through games, teamwork, and problem-solving challenges inspired by storytelling.
The International Microorganism Day (IMD) Argentina 2026 event, organized by researchers and educators from the National Scientific and Technical Research Council (CONICET) and the National University of La Plata (UNLP), aims to promote scientific literacy through two interactive workshops designed for different primary school age groups.
Exploring the Microbial World, for 5th-grade students, introduces microorganisms and the One Health concept through a short presentation followed by four interactive stations on bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites. Students participate in games, microscopy observations, artistic activities, and hands-on challenges to explore the diversity and importance of microorganisms.
Food Safety Guardians, for 2nd-grade students, is a gamified workshop where children become "Food Safety Guardians" and complete collaborative missions inspired by storytelling. Through four activity stations, they learn about hand hygiene, cross-contamination prevention, safe temperatures, and safe water and food handling while solving clues to recover the hidden Food Safety Chest.
Both workshops use active learning, teamwork, and direct interaction with scientists to encourage curiosity about microbiology, promote healthy habits, and strengthen the connection between the scientific community and society.
Programme:
Workshop 1 – Exploring the Microbial World / Target audience: 5th-grade primary school students
12:00–12:10 Welcome and introduction to the International Microorganism Day.
12:10–12:25 Interactive presentation: What are microorganisms? Introduction to the One Health concept and the importance of bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites in everyday life.
12:25–13:25 Rotation through four interactive stations (Bacteria, Viruses, Fungi, and Parasites), including games, artistic activities, microscopy observations, and hands-on learning experiences.
13:25–13:40 Group discussion, questions, and key messages.
13:40–13:50 Closing activity and interaction with researchers and university students.
Workshop 2 – Food Safety Guardians / Target audience: 2nd-grade primary school students
12:00–12:10 Welcome and introduction to microorganisms through storytelling. Presentation of the mission and formation of the "Food Safety Guardian" teams.
12:10–12:20 Brief introduction to food safety and the role of microorganisms in foodborne diseases.
12:20–13:20 Rotation through four gamified stations: Hand Hygiene, Cross-Contamination Prevention, Safe Temperatures, and Safe Water & Food Handling. Each completed mission provides a clue to find the hidden Food Safety Chest.
13:20–13:35 Collaborative puzzle-solving and discovery of the Food Safety Chest.
13:35–13:45 Award ceremony: presentation of the Food Safety Guardian medals and closing remarks.
