The Tiny Earth Project: Discover new antibiotics to join the fight against superbugs!

Course Description

Are you ready to become a scientist and help solve a global health crisis? In this exciting mini-course, you will join a worldwide research project called Tiny Earth to tackle the problem of antibiotic resistance. Antibiotics are medicines that fight infections, but over time, bacteria can become resistant, so these drugs stop working. Scientists are on the hunt for new antibiotics, and now it’s your turn to join the mission! During this week-long program, you’ll work as a scientist in a high-tech lab to do real experiments. You will learn microbiology skills like how to transfer bacteria safely, grow and study them, and test what kind they are and if they make antibiotics. The goal? To find bacteria in soil that might produce brand-new antibiotics! At the end of the week, you’ll share your discoveries in a science poster presentation. Your research will contribute to the global effort to beat antibiotic resistance. Be part of the solution and make a real difference in science!

Attendance: Students must be able to attend safety training that happens at the start of the first day of the program to be able to work in the labs.

Students must bring: a lock to keep your items safe in a locker, a notebook and pencil to use in the lab. Long pants and closed-toed shoes will be required and we will provide other safety gear including a lab coat, goggles and mask.