KS3-5: Antibiotic resistance: are antimicrobial peptides the answer?

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Suitable for 11-18-year olds (secondary and high schools, and college), this article and accompanying activity sheet can be used in the classroom, in science clubs and at home.

This resource links to KS3 Biology: cells and organisation; KS4 Biology: cell biology; health, disease and development of medicines; and KS5 Biology: cells; biological molecules - as well as chemistry in all key stages. It is also internationally relevant, and can be used as part of a wider PSHE discussion on antibiotic resistance.

It can be used as a careers resource and links to Gatsby Benchmarks:
Gatsby Benchmark 2: Learning from career and labour market information
Gatsby Benchmark 4: Linking curriculum learning to careers

The article includes a short history of penicillin; an explanation of antimicrobial peptides and why they could be an answer to antibiotic resistance, an interview with chemical engineer Professor Terri Camesano and an overview of chemical engineering i.e. what is it and how does it apply to engineering and other fields such as biology?

The activity sheet includes discussion points - seven questions the students can answer in groups or individually. There are also links to relevant TED talks and other resources that discuss antibiotics and resistance.

This resource was first published on Futurum Careers, a free online resource and magazine aimed at encouraging 14-19-year-olds worldwide to pursue careers in science, tech, engineering, maths, medicine (STEM) and social sciences, humanities and the arts for people and the economy (SHAPE).

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