| A competition was introduced in 1985 in the UK to enhance student interest in microbiology. It became an annual event in 1994 and the MiSAC Annual Competition for Key Stages 3 and 4 (or equivalent) now attracts up to 2,000 student entries each year.
Each year, the topic chosen for the competition in the UK is linked to the curricula throughout the UK. Special sponsorship provides money prizes totalling £1,240 for students and their schools. Each student entrant
receives a certificate.
In 2014, the experience gained over the years by organising the UK competition helped in the development of the first mycology competition for schools in Thailand. In subsequent years, further microbiology competitions have been held for students in Thailand, China and, more recently, the ASEAN countries in collaboration with UNESCO SEAMEO STEM-Ed, the International Association for the Future Stem Workforce (IAFSW) and King Mongkut University of Technology Thonburi (KMUTT) with the Institute for the Promotion of Science and Technology Teaching (IPST), Thailand.
In 2026, a consortium involving the Institute for Promotion of Science & Technology Teaching (IPST) and the King Mongkut University of Technology Thonburi (KMUTT) will be running the MiSAC competition How Microbes Make Milk throughout Thailand. The IPST has arranged for the production of supporting videos by specialists and, along with KMUTT, will organise workshops and visits to dairy farms as additional projects implemented at a later stage. This is aimed at supporting teachers and students in understanding the role of microorganisms in the production of milk in cows - as well as other innovative topics in agriculture.
For further information about the 2026 Thai competition, and to view the winning entries of previous Asian competitions, click on the link below to International Competitions in Asia.
Previous UK competitions
International Competitions in Asia
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Click image to download flyer.
Annual Competition Entry Form
Download the Word file entry form to your computer
for recording your students' data. Please TYPE
in your school details and students' names for the
KS3 &/or KS4 competition in England and N. Ireland
(S1/2 &/or S3/4 in Scotland; PS4 &/or PS5 in Wales).
After you have completed the form, print out
a copy to submit along with the students' entries.
Click here to download the MiSAC 2026
Competition entry form.
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