The Community and Social Affairs Department of the Association of Agricultural Microbiology Students (PERMAHAMI), Faculty of Agriculture UGM, once again held the program Mikrobiologi Menginspirasi Anak (MIKROINSPIA) on Sunday, 5 October 2025 at the Realino Learning Community, Jombor. This year, MIKROINSPIA adopted the theme “First Spark, Endless Journey,” a concept that emphasizes the importance of an initial spark of learning for children as the foundation of a long educational journey.
The Event Coordinator, Oddie Christian Tamzil, explained that the theme was inspired by the belief that even a single encounter can leave a meaningful and lasting impression on children. The hope is that this activity will encourage children to pursue knowledge to the greatest heights in the future.
“Even though we only meet once, we hope that the knowledge we share stays with them as they grow up,” Oddie stated.
MIKROINSPIA 2025 was held as a one-day program consisting of ice-breaking activities, age-adjusted basic biology lessons, practice questions, and craft-making sessions. The children were divided into three groups—kindergarten, lower elementary, and upper elementary—to ensure that the materials were tailored to their understanding and delivered more effectively.
The materials provided not only introduced fundamental biological concepts but were also designed to spark children’s curiosity about environmental phenomena around them. The lessons delivered by microbiology students included introductions to flora and fauna, animal–plant symbiosis, food chains, and life cycles. These materials aimed to help children observe real examples of biology in their surroundings and develop awareness that learning can take place anywhere.
Through a learn-while-playing approach, the activity aimed to provide the “first spark” that ignites children’s curiosity. Meanwhile, the value of an “endless journey” reflects the hope that the knowledge and motivation planted during the activity will continue to grow as the children develop.
With the theme “First Spark, Endless Journey,” MIKROINSPIA 2025 not only serves as a platform for Agricultural Microbiology students to share knowledge but also represents a small yet meaningful step toward inspiring the younger generation at the beginning of their long and fulfilling educational journey.
This activity aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals—SDG 4: Quality Education, SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities, and SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions.