DIVULSUPERBAC: an outreach project to raise awareness of antimicrobial resistance

DIVULSUPERBAC (DSB) is an outreach project involving a Service-Learning component aimed at the educational community. Launched in 2019, it has involved Biology degree students in a Microbiology-focused initiative within the Valencian Community (Spain) for four academic years. The DSB project includes various outreach activities designed to raise awareness of the threat posed by superbugs among preuniversity students. Under the supervision of their professors, university students created an exhibition featuring 14 infographics on antimicrobial resistance. These infographics were presented at 23 high schools (HS), where university students explained the issue to HS students (aged 15-16) and assessed their understanding of the topic. The activity was supported by HS teachers. Surveys indicated scores of around 4 out of 5 in terms of overall scientific interest and knowledge gained about antibiotic resistance. These positive results have inspired us to expand the project to other regions of the world.