Topic Frameworks (TFs), written by hundreds of microbiologists worldwide in non-specialist language that can be interpreted by teachers for classes and groups of different ages and teaching needs, are generic knowledge frameworks that constitute the individual lessons of the microbiology curriculum. They are the centrepiece of the resources created by the IMiLI to promote microbiology literacy in society.
TFs are essentially stand-alone, so can be freely selected and mixed and matched according to the teaching aims, interests and priorities of individual teachers. Indeed, new TFs can readily be created by teachers by mixing and matching parts of different TFs.
Importantly, TFs (a) are child interest/experience-centric: where possible, they are approached from, and considered within the framework of, the interest/experience perspective (e.g. the acquisition/ownership of a pet dog), rather than from the perspective of microbiology itself; (b) consider the topic treated in the context of wider issues that are relevant, in particular sustainability and the Sustainability Development Goals, the Grand Challenges faced by society, and the connectedness of things; and (c) provide examples of the types of issues confronting decision takers at various levels in different contexts where a knowledge of microbiology would facilitate arriving at evidence-based decisions. In this way, pupils are encouraged to consider their positions as stakeholders in such policies and learn stakeholder responsibilities.