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WHDL - 00021995

Addressing San Diego’s Bacterial Public Health Crisis in Two Ways: Assessment of Antibiotic Resistance in Fecal Indicator Bacteria and Development and Field-testing of Inquiry-based unit for Classroom Education

Brody Pettek

Resource Types

Academic (Thesis, Dissertation, Etc.)

Resource Languages

English

Institutional Repository

Description / Abstract

It has been well documented that the San Diego area has seen an increase in bacteria in its waterways. Due to its close negative correlation with human health, it is important to attempt to address this public health crisis. This study aims to better understand this problem by assessing the amount of antibiotic resistance present in fecal indicator bacteria Enterococcus. Water samples were taken from Mission Bay California, a populated manmade bay, twice a week for 6 weeks. From this ocean sample two samples were created, one control solution, and one solution was treated with a solution containing 1mL of 1.6% Ampicillin set to the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) to ensure that remaining Enterococcus were considered resistant. After testing and analysis was complete it was determined that 3% of Enterococcus samples collected survived the MIC of ampicillin, and were considered to be resistant. This study also attempts to address this public health crisis through public education. Sixth grade students participated in three days of inquiry-based lessons that challenged them to determine what factors affect how much bacteria enters the water, and why that is a problem. During this unit students followed the scientific process where they read articles to gain background knowledge, investigated a question through a lab protocol, analyzed multiple sources of data, and synthesized a conclusion. A mixed methods convergent study that featured both quantitative data from assessments and qualitative data from student written responses showed that they increased their understanding of these topics after participation in this unit.

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Publishers

Publish Year: 2025

Subject Index

Degree AwardedM.A. in Biology

Awarding InstitutionPoint Loma Nazarene University

Committee MembersDianne Anderson, David Cummings, Andrew Nosal

Peer Reviewed?No

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PLNU Master's Theses 2021-2025

10 Resources

English

This collection contains all PLNU Masters' Theses completed during the span beginning with the 2020-2021 academic year and ending with the most recent academic year, provided they were submitted to the library with all necessary permissions.