Open AccessBeads and ‘Biomes
Author(s) -
Chequita N. Brooks,
Tamara A. Poles
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
the american biology teacher
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.277
H-Index - 30
eISSN - 1938-4211
pISSN - 0002-7685
DOI - 10.1525/abt.2021.83.9.594
Subject(s) - stewardship (theology) , action (physics) , resistance (ecology) , biome , work (physics) , antibiotic resistance , psychology , microbiology and biotechnology , antibiotics , ecology , biology , political science , ecosystem , engineering , mechanical engineering , physics , quantum mechanics , politics , law
The issue of antibiotic resistance among bacterial pathogens is often misunderstood. Here, we present an activity that debunks misconceptions regarding microorganisms, such as bacterial pathogens, and addresses how antibiotics work. We propose this activity be incorporated into middle or high school classrooms addressing both this real-world issue and elements from the Next Generation Science Standards. Students are encouraged to use hands-on experiences toward hypothesis development and testing to better understand how antibiotic resistance is spread among bacterial pathogens and commensals. Over half of the students who participated in this activity self-reported that they were likely to share the information they learned outside of their classroom, reflecting real-time impacts on science stewardship in students. This activity also presents students with an issue that has clear action items they can undertake to effect positive change.