Website of the Department of Health

The Bug Investigators: A resource for science teachers

A teachers' guide and information pack for Years 5, 6 and 7.

Bacteria that are resistant to antibiotics are becoming more common. Some bacteria are resistant to multiple antibiotics and this makes infections more difficult to treat and may for example increase the length and severity of illnesses.

This is why the Department of Health is running an awareness campaign to encourage more prudent use of antibiotics. The campaign was first launched in 1999 with a series of press and outdoor advertisements supported by public information leaflets, and complemented by resources specially designed for use by general practitioners and other health professionals.

The public face of this campaign is the cartoon character Andybiotic who invites everybody to use antibiotics in a responsible manner by explaining which micro-organisms they work on. Andybiotic also gives practical advise on self-treatment for conditions that antibiotics do not work on.

We are now extending this campaign further to raise awareness amongst children. We have produced a resource pack for use by teachers of Key Stage 2 Science and PSHE. Pitched at a level that children can understand and comprehend, and above all find interesting, this attractive pack has a recognition that this audience, as the custodian of tomorrow's world, needs to be aware of the usual dangers to their health and well-being. It also seeks to show young people the steps that can take to reduce dependency on antibiotics and how unnecessary use can actually be harmful to the body. The pack has been designed in consultation with teachers, scientists and experts from other fields and tested with Key Stage 2 children.

The Bug Investigator pack is being replaced by an updated pack called e-Bug. This pack will also be available for free. Please contact us for more information.