This workshop is designed to enlighten young minds about the critical issue of superbugs and antimicrobial resistance (AMR), its far-reaching impact, and how we can all play a part in addressing this global health challenge. The event brings scientific learning with artistic creativity, offering a multidimensional educational experience.

Workshop Overview

This three-hour workshop is divided into two engaging segments. The first part, facilitated by the Superheroes Against Superbugs Team, is an interactive educational session on superbugs and AMR. The second part, led by the KNMA team, focuses on expressing the concept of superbugs and AMR through art.

Part 1: Superbugs and AMR (Duration: 1.5 - 2 hours)

Facilitated by the Superheroes Against Superbugs team members- Dr Ponnari Gottipati, Dr Sarah Hyder and Manvi Sharma, this segment opens with an enlightening interactive quiz on microbes, utilizing digital tools to both educate and engage. Participants will gain an understanding of how infections spread through hands-on activities. A short animated video will shed light on the evolution of superbugs, followed by activities aimed at debunking myths about superbugs and antibiotic resistance. The session will wrap up with a brainstorming exercise on preventing the spread of superbugs and an open Q&A discussion.

Part 2: Superbugs Art - Expressing AMR Through Creativity (Duration: 1 - 1.5 hours)

The KNMA Team takes the lead in this creative segment, illustrating how art can effectively communicate complex scientific concepts. Participants will be encouraged to create their own art pieces, interpreting superbugs or conveying messages about AMR. This session aims to highlight the power of visual storytelling in science, culminating in a discussion where participants share their creations and the inspiration behind them.

About the Facilitators -

Dr. Ponnari Gottipati, a Research Management consultant in Hyderabad, co-leads SaS and consults for LV Prasad Eye Institute and Sree Padmavathi Venkateswara Foundation. With a background in Molecular Biology and a PhD from the University of Sheffield, she previously worked as Grants Manager at the DBT Wellcome Trust India Alliance, expressing her passion for science through engagement and outreach.

Dr. Sarah Hyder Iqbal, a Life Sciences researcher, is now an independent science engagement consultant in India. With a PhD from the University of Oxford, she consults for FAST-India in New Delhi, focusing on building capacity and fostering inclusive, participatory approaches for public and policy engagement in science.

Manvi Sharma, Program Associate on the APSI-India project, brings teaching experience from Teach for India and content creation in Edtech. Passionate about engaging with people, her goal is to facilitate science communication and encourage public participation in scientific discussions.