Middle school students partnered with a local university to discover a novel compound in goose poop, showing antibiotic activity and inhibiting the growth of cancer cells. Through an applied science program, these young scientists collected environmental samples, analyzed data, and programmed specialized equipment to assist in the research process. This collaboration not only provides underrepresented students with hands-on experience in STEM fields but also highlights the potential for educational outreach to contribute to scientific discovery. While the compound, named orfamide N, did not show initial antibiotic activity, further studies could uncover additional beneficial properties. The team’s findings were published in the journal ACS Omega.
https://phys.org/news/2024-12-middle-schooler-compound-piece-goose.html