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. 2018 Oct 31;19(3):19.3.97.
doi: 10.1128/jmbe.v19i3.1603. eCollection 2018.

The PARE Project: A Short Course-Based Research Project for National Surveillance of Antibiotic-Resistant Microbes in Environmental Samples

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The PARE Project: A Short Course-Based Research Project for National Surveillance of Antibiotic-Resistant Microbes in Environmental Samples

Elizabeth A Genné-Bacon et al. J Microbiol Biol Educ. .

Abstract

Course-based research experiences (CREs) have been proposed as an inclusive model to expose all students, including those at institutions without a strong research infrastructure, to research at an early stage. Converting an entire semester-long course can be time consuming for instructors and expensive for institutions, so we have developed a short CRE that can be implemented in a variety of life science course types. The Prevalence of Antibiotic Resistance in the Environment (PARE) project uses common microbiology methods and equipment to engage students in nationwide surveillance of environmental soil samples to document the prevalence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria. The project has been implemented at institutions ranging from community colleges to doctoral-granting institutions in 30 states plus Puerto Rico. Programmatic feedback was obtained from instructors over three iterations, and revisions were made based on this feedback. Student learning was measured by pre/post assessment in a subset of institutions. Outcomes indicate that students made significant gains in the project learning goals. Journal of Microbiology & Biology Education.

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Figures

FIGURE 1
FIGURE 1
Overview of the PARE methods. PARE = prevalence of antibiotic resistance in the environment.
FIGURE 2
FIGURE 2
Sample data—serial dilution plating sets. A) Nutrient agar. The top photo shows the entire plating series. The bottom images show individual plates with diverse colony morphology rendering accurate enumeration difficult. B) MacConkey agar. The bottom images show the more uniform colony morphology of MacConkey agar.
FIGURE 3
FIGURE 3
Student learning after the PARE module. Bars represent average scores with standard mean error. Pre and post tests are identical, and scores are out of 13.25 possible points. A paired t-test reveals a significant (p < 0.0001) effect of the PARE experience on post test scores. n = 43, **** p < 0.0001. PARE = prevalence of antibiotic resistance in the environment.

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