IMD in Belgium

On 16 September 2023, we celebrated IMD with the Young Belgian Society for Microbiology! Our event held at the Museum of Natural Sciences in Brussels had almost 700 attendees primarily children, and was made possible by 50 volunteers from universities across Belgium!

The event was smooth, and it allowed us to share our passions with kids in a very relaxed and fun manner. Our good and bad microbe mascots were a hit with kids! This year, YBSM came up with newer ideas to make the sessions very interactive with a treasure hunt where children collected stickers on their treasure map by completing 5 different microbiology-related activities. With a full map, they got to pick out a microbe prize; key chains of important microbes (E. coli, MRSA, flu or the common cold) from GIANT microbes. 

Our general microbiology booth had put in months of work to design fun DIY games wherein kids could build their own microbes, and find out about the various species that lived in the human body and other common surfaces. 

Furthermore, microscopes had been installed to allow kids to look closely at these microbes that surround their everyday life and what's more, check out some fluorescent and photobacterium that could glow.  

Both our Kombucha stall and living (agar) art stalls made a comeback this year. This year we were also able to tie up all our activities neatly together, thanks to the fun treasure hunt where stickers could be collected at each booth. Winners of the treasure hunts received virus-shaped jewelry and microbiology-based board games donated by ScienceJewelry1824 and Somesault1824 respectively. 

Saca, Bak, Gillus, and Rizzo, the IMD mascots were joined by our own version of good bugs (Lactobacillus) and Bad bugs (Salmonella) present on the day to greet the tiny friends. These costumes were designed by the very talented Fien Stoffels.

Another special mention is to Jake Robinson, the author of the book Invisible Friends who offered a special prize to the event attendees.  

We would like to thank the iGEM team from KU Leuven and CIRCLES for their participation during the event.