Who are we?
“Antibiotics under our feet” is a citizen science project funded by a ScotPEN Wellcome Trust Award to Clarissa Melo Czekster at the University of St Andrews. Our project partners include Fife Council, the James Hutton Institute, the University of Glasgow and the University of Strathclyde and other staff and students from the University of St Andrews.
How does our project raise science capital?
Our project works alongside schools and groups to collect soil samples and environmental data. DNA is extracted from the soil samples and sent for next generation sequencing to identify the bacteria present. Environmental data is measured and recorded along with information about how humans and animals use their patch of ground since this affects the communities of bacteria that live in the soil.
Free, downloadable learning resources and activities on these topics, mapped to the Scottish Curriculum for Excellence, were developed with community input along with guidance for teachers on using this project to engage with the General Teaching Council for Scotland’s Professional Standards for Professional Learning. Kit boxes with the equipment can be loaned and shipped to schools and groups for a pre-agreed length of time. Kit boxes can be borrowed from STEM Ambassadors Scotland: email [email protected]
Want to know more?
Start by reading our story…
For project enquiries and a chat about how we can work with you, contact us by email at [email protected].