Antimicrobial resistance resources
This collection supports the webinar:
The science of superbugs – teaching antimicrobial resistance awareness in Aotearoa
For help navigating this collection please see our collections article: https://www.sciencelearn.org.nz/resources/2762-creating-collections
If you have any questions contact: enquiries@sciencelearn.org.nz
People often consider antimicrobial resistance to be a human issue – with concerns about its effects on human health. It is a much wider issue, requiring experts to work across the animal-human-environment interface.
This collection contains a mix of resources that provide background information, planning advice and activity ideas for educators interested in exploring this wicked problem.
The science of superbugs – teaching antimicrobial resistance awareness in Aotearoa
In this recorded webinar Dr Siouxsie Wiles discusses why it is so important for our students to be aware of AMR – of how it works and the actions that they can take.
Science for communities with ESR
Dr Kristin Dyet talks about her role as a microbiologist at ESR and the importance of AMR awareness
Help with planning
The following resources provide helpful insights regarding planning and pedagogy.
Starters & Strategies Term 3 2023
AMR Teaching Unit (recommended for school years 5+)
http://www.starters.co.nz/uploads/teachers-magazines/t3-2023-flip/
Pages 4, 5 & 6
Additional resources to build background knowledge about AMR.
Video: The Evolution of Bacteria on a “Mega-Plate” Petri Dish from Harvard Medical School
This video features a large Petri dish (2 ft x 4 ft) with bands of antibiotics of increasing strength. Watch how E. coli bacteria reproduce and colonise a band. Growth pauses when the bacteria encounter a band with 10X as much antibiotic, until a mutant appears, preproduces and continues the process.
School journal
Resistance: When Antibiotics Don’t Work:
Suggested reading level: year 7
EVENT
World AMR Awareness Week
18 - 24 November
World AMR Awareness Week (WAAW) is a global campaign that is celebrated annually to improve awareness and understanding of AMR and encourage best practices among the public, One Health stakeholders and policymakers, who all play a critical role in reducing the further emergence and spread of AMR.
Find out more here: www.who.int/campaigns/world-amr-awareness-week/2023
WHO publication:
Prioritization of pathogens to guide discovery, research and development of new antibiotics for drug-resistant bacterial infections, including tuberculosis
Ministry for Primary Industries
Sales of antibiotics used in animals and plants down by nearly a quarter
The Conversation article:
Antibiotic-resistant bacteria in NZ’s wild cockles and watercress put people at growing risk of serious illness
Authors:
Jack Heinemann
Sophie Joy van Hamelsveld
OPMCSA cover
Links to key action documents: Help this global project to develop a faster test for antibiotic resistance by looking inside bacteria that have been treated with antibiotics. This will improve healthcare for patients with infections.
Infection Inspection
Help this global project to develop a faster test for antibiotic resistance by looking inside bacteria that have been treated with antibiotics. This will improve healthcare for patients with infections.
The Conversation article:
Deep learning AI discovers surprising new antibiotics
https://theconversation.com/deep-learning-ai-discovers-surprising-new-antibiotics-132059
Author: Sriram Chandrasekaran
The Conversation article:
The world is desperate for new antibiotics, and New Zealand’s unique fungi are a source of promising compounds
Author: Siouxsie Wiles
Find out more about the work of Associate Professor Siouxsie Wiles:
Video: Light is amazing:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3LpnFM2I8Xo
Dr Siouxsie Wiles Profile: https://profiles.auckland.ac.nz/s-wiles
Book: Antibiotic Resistance: The End of Modern Medicine?
What next?
Educator Matt Boucher, author of the School Journal article featured earlier, designed a local poster competition to enable students to create their own messages about AMR and the basic steps needed to stop the spread.
Consider discussing the posters with your students and encourage them to create a poster. Challenge older students to feature animal and environmental impacts of AMR.
