Antibiotics Under Our Feet
A citizen science journey from soil to solution, co-led by pupils and researchers across Scotland
Project Overview:
‘Antibiotics Under Our Feet’ (AuoF) was a Scotland-wide public engagement and research project exploring the microbes in our soil and the role they play in antibiotic resistance. Primary school pupils collected soil samples. Secondary pupils extracted environmental DNA. Undergraduate students analysed the data. Teachers, gardeners, researchers, and the wider community all helped shape the science. Like a relay race, each stage was shared and built on by another group.
What began as a response to growing concerns about antimicrobial resistance evolved into a creative, nationwide programme spanning classrooms, community gardens and research labs. Despite delays from COVID-19, AuoF reached hundreds of young people with activity boxes, experiments, videos, podcasts, and hands-on learning—all while contributing to a live dataset of bacterial diversity and resistance across Scotland.
Team:
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Project Lead: Prof Clarissa Melo Czekster (University of St Andrews)
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Project Team: Rebecca Cornwell – Public Engagement Officer, Eulyn Pagaling & Malcolm Coull – The James Hutton Institute, Katherine Duncan & Darren Scobie – University of Strathclyde, St Andrews STEP & iGEM student teams, School, community and youth groups across Scotland
Goals & Activities
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Make science accessible by involving young people in real research
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Raise awareness of antimicrobial resistance through hands-on soil exploration
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Develop free, curriculum-linked resources for teachers and science clubs
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Build long-lasting partnerships across education, public health and academia
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Sample collection kits distributed to schools and youth clubs
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Educational videos made by and for young people (e.g. “You Asked, We Answered”)
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Public events like Science Discovery Day, British Science Week, Explorathon
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STEP Wikithons and new Simple Wikipedia entries on antibiotics and microbes
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Art & science crossover activities like “Make a Microbe”
Project Outputs
Co-Created Data & Interactive Map
- Soil microbes analysed across Scotland and visualised on an accessible interactive map. Contributed by schools, youth groups and communities.
Learning Resources & Activity Kits
- Freely downloadable kits and curriculum-linked teaching guides. Now available via STEM Ambassador Scotland and Figshare resource library.
Wikipedia & Media Outputs
- Student-written SimpleWiki entries about common antibiotics and microbes, plus videos like “Make a Microbe”.
