Modification of Tufts University's Prevalence of Antibiotic Resistance in the Environment Project (PARE) for the Middle School Classroom
Major
Biology
Second Major
Educational Studies
Submission Type
Oral Presentation
Area of Study or Work
Biology, Educational Studies
Faculty Advisor
Loralyn Cozy
Location
CNS E101
Start Date
4-12-2025 11:15 AM
End Date
4-12-2025 12:15 PM
Abstract
A significant threat to global public health comes from antibiotic-resistant bacteria. These microorganisms lead to difficulties with treating various diseases and infections. As this issue affects everyone, it’s important to open up collaborations between researchers and students. Bringing awareness of this problem to a middle school science classroom can provide students with a way to make science relevant to their community and in turn, a way to act on this issue. This fosters culturally relevant learning as students get to investigate how this global issue specifically affects their community. To bridge this gap between the middle school science classroom and the research on the global threat of antibiotic resistant bacteria, our research was built on the foundation of Tufts University's Prevalence of Antibiotic Resistance in the Environment Project (PARE). This project allows undergraduate students to calculate and share to a larger database the percentage of bacteria in local soil samples that are antibiotic resistant. We conducted the PARE project first as designed and then with modifications made for success in a middle school science classroom. Materials and lesson plans were developed to bridge gaps in math and science knowledge required for the project as certain lab techniques and calculations will be new for middle school students. We found that, with relatively minor technical and pedagogical modification, the PARE project can provide middle school science teachers with a protocol that allows their students to immerse themselves in scientific research and make a difference in their communities.
Modification of Tufts University's Prevalence of Antibiotic Resistance in the Environment Project (PARE) for the Middle School Classroom
CNS E101
A significant threat to global public health comes from antibiotic-resistant bacteria. These microorganisms lead to difficulties with treating various diseases and infections. As this issue affects everyone, it’s important to open up collaborations between researchers and students. Bringing awareness of this problem to a middle school science classroom can provide students with a way to make science relevant to their community and in turn, a way to act on this issue. This fosters culturally relevant learning as students get to investigate how this global issue specifically affects their community. To bridge this gap between the middle school science classroom and the research on the global threat of antibiotic resistant bacteria, our research was built on the foundation of Tufts University's Prevalence of Antibiotic Resistance in the Environment Project (PARE). This project allows undergraduate students to calculate and share to a larger database the percentage of bacteria in local soil samples that are antibiotic resistant. We conducted the PARE project first as designed and then with modifications made for success in a middle school science classroom. Materials and lesson plans were developed to bridge gaps in math and science knowledge required for the project as certain lab techniques and calculations will be new for middle school students. We found that, with relatively minor technical and pedagogical modification, the PARE project can provide middle school science teachers with a protocol that allows their students to immerse themselves in scientific research and make a difference in their communities.