From Gram stains to graphic novels: Researching a new way to teach microbiology

Graphic novels are a rapidly expanding medium among youth, praised for their capacity to integrate concise text with compelling visual narratives. Many students hold misconceptions about microorganisms, often perceiving them as harmful due to limited coverage in the BC curriculum and portrayal in the media. Teaching children early about the beneficial, neutral, and harmful roles of microbes is essential to fostering a healthy, informed relationship with the microbial world. By integrating creative teaching methods into science education, this study aims to inform evidence-based strategies for improving early science literacy, supporting antimicrobial stewardship, and inspiring future interest in STEM and One Health perspectives. This approach can be incorporated into classrooms for all ages and disciplines to improve engagement and promote student-centred learning. The link to our graphic novel can be found here.