Science knowledge is deeply intertwined with Microorganisms, which play essential roles in healthcare, food production and environmental management, making their study crucial for understanding impacts on food safety, spoilage and disease prevention. This research introduces hands-on activities designed for high school students (aged 14-15) to explore microbial growth and diversity. This workshop was conducted with seven Grade 8 students as part of an outreach program by the Prayoga Institute of Education Research, Bangalore, India. It was facilitated by experts in microbiology. Aimed at fostering awareness and critical thinking in microbiology, the workshop engaged students in investigating microorganisms from various indoor and outdoor samples, observing colony morphology and studying their roles in fermentation, spoilage and foodborne disease prevention. Peer collaboration was encouraged to enhance learning, reflecting the benefits of student-led interactions. The data was collected through direct observation, activity reports and reflective writing to assess experimental skills and concept understanding. A five-level rubric, adapted from Yoshihiro et al. (2017) was used to evaluate students' progress. Results indicated significant improvement in their ability to plan, conduct and analyse experiments, deepening their knowledge of microbial diversity, fermentation processes, hygiene and food safety. Reflective writing provided insights into misconceptions, allowing instructors to refine instruction. Students reported enjoyment and improved lab skills, suggesting that early exposure to active microbiology learning can effectively build scientific literacy and interest in related academic and career paths.