The Microbiological@mind project: a public engagement initiative of Turin University bringing microbiology and health education into primary schools

Abstract

Despite ongoing global efforts, antimicrobial resistance continues to threaten the treatment of an ever-increasing range of bacterial infections. There is substantial evidence that public education programs that foster microbial literacy amongst young school audiences may improve correct knowledge of specific health issues, such as prevention of microbial infections and responsible use of antibiotics. The aim of the Microbiological@mind project was to engage primary school students with the subject of microbiology, to promote both scientific interest and awareness towards correct behaviors that may ensure a safer lifestyle. Interactive workshops based on a full ''hands-on'' approach were carried out by an expert team from the University of Turin to over 1200 children aged 9-11 years at primary schools in Turin. A questionnaire (pre- and post-activity test) on the main topic (i.e. antibiotics) was used to assess project effectiveness. The workshops provided a useful means to strengthen the understanding of basic microbiology concepts amongst students. Students' baseline knowledge of antibiotics was quite low, as low percentages of correct answers on antibiotic action and use (5.0% and 12.1%, respectively) were found in the pre-activity tests. A significant increase (P <0.0001) in correct knowledge was observed in the post-activity tests, after implementation of the teaching activity. Our findings support the idea that microbial literacy in early childhood through hands-on educational programs is of great importance to foster children's interest in science learning, and to provide young people with information about general and specific health-related issues, such as prudent antibiotic use, for a more responsible citizenship.

The urgent need for microbiology literacy in society

“…We envision microbiology curricula developing for kindergarten, primary school, secondary school and high school, in addition to microbiology teaching curricula for teacher training in tertiary education (see also e.g. Bergey, ; Savage and Bude, ; Scalas et al, ; https://enviroliteracy.org/environment-society/environmental-health/microorganisms/; http://www.actionbioscience.org/biodiversity/wassenaar.html, https://schaechter.asmblog.org/schaechter/2013/04/whose-planet-is-it-anyway-1.html). They should also be available as a public education service, updating microbiology literate individuals and enabling those who did not receive instruction at school to learn the basics and catch up on new progress.…”

Omani senior secondary school students’ knowledge of and attitudes to antibiotic resistance

“…In a similar vein, interactive ''hands-on'' workshops targeting the issue of antimicrobial resistance conducted by staff from the University of Turin with over 1,200 primary school children aged 9 to 11 years old in their schools resulted in significant gains in understanding [41], indicating the value of relevant learning in younger years. The inclusion of laboratory-based activities, such as simple bioassays, offers students a different experience of a topic that is often delivered didactically; and if university visits or linkages are not viable or appropriate, modifications of such activities may be possible in Omani schools, which generally have good laboratory facilities.…”

Microorganismos y hábitos de higiene. Estudio longitudinal en los cursos iniciales de Educación Primaria

“…Conceptualizaron a los microorganismos con forma similar a los insectos, y mostraron que entienden la idea de escala y la necesidad de instrumentos de aumento para su observación. Scalas et al (2017) realizaron el proyecto "Microbiological@mind", en forma de talleres escolares prácticos con niños de 9 a 11 años, en Italia. Sus objetivos: la promoción del interés científico, el fomento de comportamientos que ayuden a tener un estilo de vida más seguro, la prevención de infecciones microbianas y el uso responsable de antibióticos.…”