Transforming a retail unit at the city shopping destination into an interactive and professionally-designed microbiology ‘laboratory’, Superbugs will offer guests the chance to immerse themselves in a series of fun educational activities from swabbing your own body and stepping inside a VR lab to growing your own microbes.

The Superbugs Pop-Up Science Shop will be open on over four weeks in July and August at St David’s Cardiff, with mini scientists able to explore a range of zones such as:

• Microscopes Station – Get up close and personal with germs
• Grow Your Own Microbes – Swab a part of your body, see what’s living there, and view the results online
• Demonstration Stage – Watch live science in action with guest speakers and visually engaging presentations
• Arts & Crafts Corner – Create microbiology-inspired masterpieces
• Space Lab – Step into a digital laboratory and take on interactive scientific challenges in virtual reality
• Microbial Horror Show – Brave the gruesome side of microbiology… if you dare!
• Plus games, treasure hunts, and prizes to be won

The Superbugs Pop-Up Science Shop will be located on the upper level of the Grand Arcade at St David’s, next to John Lewis, and will take place every day from 10am to 4:30pm from Monday 7th until Sunday 3rd August.

The event will be available for pre-booked school visits at selected times on weekdays between Monday 7th July and Friday 18th July.

Helen Morgan, Centre Director at St David’s Cardiff, commented: “This one-of-a-kind experience, delivered in partnership with Cardiff University and Swansea University, brings science to life in a fun and accessible way. It’s a brilliant opportunity for families to learn together, get hands-on with real experiments, and discover something new during their visit to St David’s.”

Superbugs is a grant-funded project with a mission to increase public awareness of the microbial world in, on and around us. St David’s has partnered with Cardiff University and Swansea University to bring the Superbugs Pop-Up Science Shop to the city. The ambitious project has also drawn in help from experts at University of South Wales, Cardiff Metropolitan University and University Hospital of Wales.

Professor Matthias Eberl, of Cardiff University, commented: “This is an educational event aimed at school children, their families, teachers, and everyone who is interested in science and medicine.

“We have converted an empty retail unit in one of the UK's busiest shopping centres into an interactive and professionally designed microbiology laboratory and exhibition space with information, activities, games, displays and live talks around infection, hygiene and health - including our very own horror show!”

For more information on the Superbugs Pop-Up Science Shop or to book a school trip, visit https://www.superbugs.online/pop-up-2025

For more details on events and opening hours at St David’s, as well as its free member rewards scheme PLUS+, visit https://www.stdavidscardiff.com