The program opened with an interactive lecture on phage biology and real-world applications, delivered by Dr. Tom Luthe and Biel Badia Roigé. Following the introduction, high school students from the 4. Aachener Gesamtschule embarked on a hands-on „phage hunt,“ collecting soil samples that were later processed in the lab to isolate bacteriophages for selected host bacteria. Throughout the course, participants gained practical experience in fundamental microbiological techniques and an authentic glimpse into the daily work of a scientist.

The course culminated with a presentation of the high school students at the Helmholtz School Congress, attended by over 200 peers from the Jülich, Aachen, and Cologne regions. This platform not only showcased their achievements but also highlighted the role of young minds in advancing science and tackling global challenges like the antimicrobial resistance crisis were phages represent an important and sustainable alternative to antibiotic treatments.