Alex Clarke (2022 Cohort) Showcases Innovative Public Engagement Activity

Earlier this month, Alex Clarke, a member of the 2022 cohort, proudly presented her innovative public engagement activity, “Bacteria Bowling,” at the Southampton Science and Engineering Festival 2025 (SOTSEF), the University of Southampton’s annual award-winning interdisciplinary science festival. This initiative was made possible through supplementary funding from SoCoBio DTP for outreach activities.

Bacteria Bowling is an activity used to increase awareness of antibiotic stewardship, the idea that we are all responsible for the proper use of antibiotics to help maintain their use. Participants in the activity are asked a series of questions relating to how they take antibiotics (for example, do they share their antibiotics). They are then given a ball representing antibiotics to throw to knock down the bacteria skittles. The catch is that with every question they answered incorrectly, the size of the ball they are given is decreased, meaning that they are unable to knock down all the skittles and successfully ‘treat’ the infection. Participants who successfully treat the infection win a sticker and a colouring pack with crayons, and those who don’t are invited to try again.

Through this engaging activity, participants learn key messages: antibiotics should not be shared, courses should be completed, and antibiotics should only be taken when prescribed by a healthcare professional.

Alex shared her enthusiasm, stating, “The activity was very positively received. Visitors of all ages loved the game and the prizes, and the team enjoyed it too. There are a couple of tweaks still to be made, and I have some money left in the budget to make those improvements before the New Forest Show in July.”