2. Execute
At this stage, students cease to be passive learners and begin to act as explorers of the microbiome. Through AR applications, they “shrink” to microscopic size and enter the human gut, where they can observe the vibrant world of trillions of microbes. The AR environment transforms abstract biology into a living, interactive universe.
Expanded hands-on exercises
Expanded hands-on exercises:
- AR Mission 1 - Meet the Allies: Students explore a balanced gut microbiome, identifying common beneficial bacteria such as Bifidobacteria and Lactobacillus. They observe how these microbes interact and cooperate in digesting food and producing vitamins.
- AR Mission 2 - When things go wrong: Students study a dysbiotic gut, identifying missing beneficial microbes or the proliferation of harmful species. They must then predict the potential health consequences (e.g., poor digestion, inflammation, or a weakened immune system).
Nutritional challenge: Students simulate the effect of adding different foods to the gut: fibre-rich vegetables that increase microbial diversity or sugary processed foods that lead to an imbalance. This shows how diet directly influences the microbial community.
Group project: Working as “dieticians”, groups design a microbiome-friendly menu for a teenager's daily diet. They justify their choices by linking foods to microbial benefits.
Real-world examples:
In Denmark, secondary school students participated in citizen science projects by sequencing their own gut microbiomes and analysing the results with university laboratories.
In Japan, schools have created microbiome-inspired gardens, teaching how both soil and gut microbes contribute to human health.