Before Tiny Earth was established as a global network in 2018, the idea of studentsourcing antibiotic discovery emerged from “Microbes to Molecules”—An undergraduate biology course developed and taught by Dr. Jo Handelsman in 2012 at Yale University. Through her passion for soil microbes and vision for engaging diverse and underrepresented students in authentic hands-on [...]
Looking for a new plate reader for collecting and analyzing sample data in your Tiny Earth classrooms? Cerillo is offering an affordable, compact portable plate reader in a new enchanting purple color! Stratus is a small plate reader that optimizes flexibility with minimal maintenance and fits in the palm of scientists’ hands. It allows [...]
Tiny Earth Partner Instructors observing plates at an instructor training Tiny Earth will collaborate with Codon Learning and the National Institute on Scientific Teaching (NIST) to develop, evaluate, and disseminate a Scientific Teaching Course (STC) that integrates AJEDI (antiracist, just, equitable, diverse, inclusive) principles. Educators from diverse backgrounds will co-create the free, digital course [...]
Instructors picking and patching isolates for isolate bioassay at the Johns Hopkins TEPI Training in July. Since the formation of Tiny Earth network in 2017 and its prior development, over 700 instructors in 30 countries and 45 U.S states and territories have been trained to teach the Tiny Earth microbiology Course-based Undergraduate Research Experience [...]
Students from Yakima Valley College participate in Tiny Earth research with TEPI Matthew Loeser (trained in June 2022 at UW-Madison). Exposure to hands-on research has given students an opportunity to learn new techniques and apply their knowledge “in a stimulating environment.” Although soil science may not be directly related to some students’ future career [...]
Tiny Earth Partner Instructor (TEPI), Dr. Jennifer (Jenn) Kerr, was selected for the Leading Women Under 40 Award, recognizing her excellent contributions to teaching and research. The award honors women under 40 based on their professional experience, community involvement, and commitment to inspiring change. The celebrated honorees are selected by a panel of judges [...]
Lead author Dr. Jo Handelsman, with Executive Director Sarah Miller and collaborators, published a new article in Science focused on evidence-based practices and approaches to creating inclusive STEM learning environments. Handelsman et al. cite effective and intentional methods to enhance student retention in STEM fields such as active learning, promoting a growth mindset, and [...]
Tiny Earth students Andrea Price and Allison Leask investigate microbes in ocean plastics as an alternative source for antibiotic discovery under the guidance of TEPI Ana Barral at National University. Dr. Barral’s adapted Tiny Earth course-based undergraduate research experience (CURE) focuses on microbial discoveries from plastics in coastal waters. Their efforts have gained recognition from ASM [...]
The Tiny Earth Summer Research Course (TESRC) was launched in late May at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Tiny Earth Partner Instructors (TEPIs) from partnered institutions Baton Rouge Community College, Madison College, and College of Menominee Nation helped recruit applicants for the program. Four students were selected from the pool of applicants to participate in [...]
The Tiny Earth Network and its vision, formed in 2012 and established as we know it in 2018 by founder Dr. Jo Handelsman, has been a challenging and rewarding journey. The Vilas Research Professor and Director of the Wisconsin Institute for Discovery has diverse experiences in scientific research, ranging from publications in microbial communications [...]
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