Dancing, Germs, and the Challenge of Antimicrobial Resistance
We had a fantastic time this weekend at ATOM Festival in Abingdon, bringing microbiology to life with our Bash the Bug public engagement activities. With plenty of sunshine and a steady stream of curious visitors, it was the perfect setting to spark conversations about one of the biggest challenges in global health: antimicrobial resistance (AMR).
Over the course of the day, we were delighted to engage with around 300 visitors, all keen to get involved, learn something new, and test their knowledge.
Learning Through Play: Our AMR Dance Mat
One of the highlights of the day was our interactive dance mat game — which even attracted a visit from the town crier (a festival highlight in itself!).
The game invites participants to “treat” infections by firing antibiotics at germs. But there’s a twist: if you keep using the same antibiotic, the germs become resistant, and suddenly your treatment stops working. Players quickly learn that they need to switch drugs and think carefully about how they use antibiotics.
It’s a simple but powerful way to demonstrate a complex concept. AMR can often feel abstract, but when people experience it firsthand — even through a game — the message sticks: how we use antibiotics today affects how well they work tomorrow.
How Clean Are Your Hands?
We also challenged visitors to test their handwashing technique using Glo Gel and UV torches. After applying the gel and washing their hands, participants could see under UV light exactly where they had missed.
The results are always surprising. Commonly missed areas included around the nails, between fingers, and the backs of hands. These moments create a great opportunity to talk about how effective hand hygiene helps prevent the spread of infection — reducing the need for antibiotics in the first place.
It was particularly encouraging to hear feedback from families. One parent told us they loved that we were promoting important life skills like handwashing, highlighting how these simple messages resonate beyond the activity itself.
Conversations That Matter
What made the day especially rewarding was the level of engagement. Visitors of all ages got involved — asking thoughtful questions, sharing their own experiences, and taking time to understand why AMR matters.
Public engagement events like ATOM Festival are a vital part of our work. They allow us to connect directly with communities, break down complex scientific ideas, and empower people with knowledge that can make a real difference to health outcomes.
A Big Thank You
We’d like to say a huge thank you to everyone who came to visit us, took part in our activities, and helped make the day such a success. And of course, to our amazing Bash the Bug team, whose enthusiasm and energy made it all possible.
We’re already looking forward to the next opportunity to get out into the community and continue the conversation about microbes, medicines, and the future of antibiotics.