A pop-up science shop in Wales' largest shopping centre aims to educate thousands of young people and their families about microbes.
Researchers from Cardiff University and Swansea University have created a pop-up science shop in Cardiff's St David's Shopping Centre, filled with activities to inspire young scientists.
The Superbugs team has created games, treasure hunts and even a horror show to help young people learn more about microbes, bacteria, viruses and antibiotic resistance and vaccines. Volunteers from Cardiff and Swansea Universities as well as Cardiff Metropolitan University are on hand to support.
Modern science and medicine advance at an unprecedented speed, succeeding in controlling and preventing infections that not long ago caused considerable illness and death such as smallpox, cholera, polio and measles. However, our societies remain highly vulnerable to outbreaks of old and new diseases. This is why we are passionate about raising awareness and educating the public, especially with regard to the concerning spread of antibiotic resistance and the rise of vaccine hesitancy which pose a significant threat for public health.
Superbugs exists to educate public about the 'microbial world in, on and around us.' A multilingual website full of resources for individuals and teachers was launched in 2021. The project also has strong international links and has partners in Spain, Liberia, Rwanda and Tanzania.
The shop is on the upper level of St David's Shopping Centre, next to John Lewis. It is free and open to the public daily from 10am - 4.30pm until 3rd August 2025.
