Power from the playground: Power-FULL Biofilms - a hands-on classroom activity using microbial fuel cells and electroactive biofilms to generate electricity.

Abstract

Power-FULL Biofilms is a 5-week, hands-on outreach workshop designed to introduce KS2 students (ages 7+) to microbiology, electricity, and renewable energy. Students build their own microbial fuel cells (MFCs) using inexpensive plastic components and then inoculate these with mud from their school playground. The MFCs are fed with a simple food source and monitored as an electroactive biofilm develops; they produce electrical current. In the final session, the MFCs are connected together to power a small electronic device, proving we can get power from the playground. This activity builds on previous outreach initiatives like Powerful Soil and Blast a Biofilm, adapting complex microbiological ideas into a fun, age-appropriate format. Sessions combine structured instruction with storytelling, vocabulary development, and hands-on experimentation. Conducting the workshop at a UK primary school showed high levels of engagement and knowledge retention. Teachers praised the balance between challenge and support, and students responded enthusiastically to using real scientific equipment and terms, a way to introduce foundational science, technology, engineering, and mathematics concepts through real-world experimentation.