Science · Stage 5

Microorganisms All Around Us

Microorganisms are living things too small to see without a microscope — and they live almost everywhere. Learn the main groups and where to find them.

✦ Science📘 Stage 5 · S5⏱ ~11 min🧒 Ages 9–10★ Free to start

I can describe microorganisms and where they are found.

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Kavi's Invisible Zoo

Kavi holds a drop of pond water up to a microscope and gasps 🔬. "Whoa — this water is alive! There is a whole hidden zoo of microorganisms in here — tiny living things far too small to see without a microscope. Bacteria, fungi like yeast and mould, and viruses live in the soil, the air, on your skin — even inside you! Grab a lens, scientist. Let's find out what they are and where they hide."

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What your child will learn

1Meet the microbesMicroorganisms (microbes for short) come in a few main groups. Tap each one to learn what it is.

2Microbes live everywhereMicroorganisms are found almost everywhere on Earth. Tap each place to see which microbes live there.

3Helpful and harmful microbesNot all microbes are bad! Many help us, and only some are harmful. Tap each card to hear it.

4What will the microbes do?Read each one and predict what happens. Tap to check! Tap Next test for more.

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A peek inside

Fuzzy green patches grow on an old orange left in a bowl. 🍊 These patches are a microorganism — which group do they belong to?

Fuzzy patches that grow on old food are mould. Mould is a kind of fungus — the same group as the yeast that makes bread rise. So the green patches are fungi.

Try this at home: What is a microorganism?

Ready to play and learn?

Start the free interactive lesson, or print the handout for screen-free play.

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Part of Science · Stage 5 · S5 on KAVI Academy — a secular, whole-child learning platform for ages 5–12.