Program Overview

Education and Public Engagement

The Education and Public Engagement programme is an integral part of APC's strategy, informed by research on public perception and understanding of microbiome science and by government policy. The goals of this programme are to foster awareness and interest in microbiome science among the general public, including schools and young people, and to train APC researchers to effectively communicate their research to non-specialist audiences.

Overview of APC Education and Public Engagement

APC researchers engage with the community through three core programmes:

• Public Engagement
• Education
• Engaged Research All APC staff play an active role in sharing their excitement about APC research, engaging with patient groups, consumers, and young people, to encourage future generations to develop an understanding of the science issues that affect society.

Primary & Secondary School Activities and Resources

The APC Education programme allows students to discover, engage with, and investigate microbiome science in unique and interesting ways.

The Invisible Made Visible Science-Art Project

The Invisible Made Visible - Science-Art Project explains the scientific process of Covid testing through the creative process of lino-printing and film, aimed at primary learners. This STEAM-Art project is a creative collaboration between botanical artist Shevaun Doherty and APC principal investigator Dr Cormac Gahan.

Resources for Primary School Teachers

• The Invisible Made Visible project offers free pre-cut jellyfish stencils for primary schools.
• A free jellyfish template is available in the Education Pack for Teachers.
• Continuous Professional Development for Primary School Teachers: APC contributes to the teacher summer course "Exploring Primary Science" at the Lifetime Lab.

Resources for Secondary School Teachers

• Budding Biologists TY Programme for secondary schools aims to promote an understanding and appreciation of science in young people and highlight career opportunities in science.
• Microbe Magic Website: suitable for school students, teachers, and parents, featuring characters like GI Jake and Luke O'Cyte, along with educational multimedia games, experiments, quizzes, and competitions.
• Mind Your Microbes App: allows exploration of the Gastrointestinal System and Microbiome to learn how age, diet, and exercise influence the diversity of human gut bacteria.

Public Activities and Resources

The aim of the APC's Public Engagement Programme is to engage the wider scientific community and stimulate public interest in, and understanding of, science in society, with particular emphasis on microbiome health.

Listen to Your Microbes

A graphic story from the perspective of the microbes, told by Fergus Shanahan and Laura Gowers, illustrating the human gut microbiome.

Gut Instincts: Unlocking the Secrets of the Microbiome

A short course delivered in partnership with Adult Continuing Education, UCC, covering the secrets of the microbiome.

World Microbiome Day

APC initiated the first-ever World Microbiome Day in 2018, with the theme for 2024 being "Feed your Microbes," featuring in-person and online events.

Useful Resources and Leaflets

Available resources include:

• Animal Health & the Microbiome
• Exercise and microbiome
• Fermented Foods
• Food Fibre and Microbiome
• Kefir
• Kombucha
• Phage
• Sauerkraut
• Stress and the Microbiome
• The Skin Microbiome