Tiny Earth Partner Instructors (TEPIs)

Tiny Earth Partner Instructors (TEPIs) are at the core of the global network. The 900+ instructors who teach the course worldwide are connected by three shared experiences:

  1. Attending an intensive, week-long Tiny Earth Partner Instructor (TEPI) Training.
  2. Teaching the Tiny Earth course at their institution.
  3. Engaging regularly in Tiny Earth network offerings such as teaching workshops, instructor committees, and student research symposiums. 

Become a TEPI

Tiny Earth instructors love the in-depth TEPI Training. The TEPI Training involves workshops on evidence-based teaching practices, Tiny Earth laboratory modules (refresh those skills!), and onboarding to the Tiny Earth Database. Throughout the training, participants work with colleagues teaching similar courses. 

Training sessions include access to the Tiny Earth curriculum (print and digital), the team of expert Tiny Earth educators and scientists, and the Tiny Earth network of science research and events. All TEPIs will have access to a mentor and a peer group of instructors who teach in a similar format.

Upcoming Training Dates

In alignment with our funding sources, this training primarily supports instructors serving Canadian students, including those at universities, colleges, cégeps, and senior high schools. Applicants who work with under‑represented Canadian populations will be prioritized and may receive additional travel support.

The training has no fee. For instructors serving Canadian students, lodging (on-campus residence) and meals will be covered; participants are responsible only for their travel. Instructors from outside Canada are also welcome to apply, though they will need to cover their own lodging and meal costs in addition to travel.

This four-day training is being offered in a virtual format. It is best suited for participants with substantial experience in environmental microbiology who need a flexible option and feel comfortable following lab protocols with minimal support. The virtual format maintains the full rigor of the curriculum and requires participants to commit to the entire duration of the training. 

There is no fee for the training. Participants are responsible for obtaining their own lab supplies for the independent lab sessions.

Apply for TEPI Training

Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis, and applicants will be notified of acceptance as early as ~6-12 weeks prior to the training date. Please contact us for questions. 

Training often reaches capacity near the application deadline. We recommend submitting your application at your earliest convenience.

TEPI Training FAQs

Tiny Earth instructors love the in-depth TEPI Training. It provides instructors the chance to be in the lab (refresh those skills!), learn about evidence-based teaching practices, and work with colleagues teaching similar courses. Training sessions include access to the Tiny Earth curriculum (print and digital), the team of expert Tiny Earth educators and scientists, and the Tiny Earth network of science research and events. All TEPIs will have access to a mentor and a peer group of instructors who teach in a similar format. 

Being a TEPI provides several benefits and opportunities related to professional development and leadership: 

  • You will receive support, resources, training, and mentoring to teach Tiny Earth.
  • You will be assigned a veteran TEPI as a mentor while you implement your course.
  • You will engage with the most up-to-date Tiny Earth teaching materials, including digital content, inclusive learning adaptations, and new modules in chemistry and genomics.
  • You will have password-protected access to the Tiny Earth course and TEPI Training content in a learning management system that models how the course can be set up for your class.
  • You have the opportunity to network with a diverse cohort of new TEPIs plus the session leaders, facilitators, and Tiny Earth headquarters staff.
  • As funding allows, we try to cover all expenses (except travel to the site), including lab materials, printed materials, lodging, and meals.
  • You will receive the title of Tiny Earth Partner Instructor (TEPI) and a certificate of completion.
  • You have access to the entire TEPI network of 900+ instructors in 33 countries (and likely some in your local area too!).
  • You can attend all Tiny Earth symposia (generally held winter and summer) and TEPI webinars about emerging topics and teaching professional development.

Training is held based on funding availability. We strive to hold two or more immersive trainings each year in two formats: in-person and virtual. Both are 3-5 days long. 

Option 1: in-person. A training is typically held annually at the University of Wisconsin–Madison during the summer. Additional trainings may be held at other locations and times and hosted by Certified TEPI Trainers in the network. Check the “Apply for TEPI Training” section at left for accurate options. 

Typical in-person format: The training is typically held for 3-5 days, Monday through Friday. Sessions include immersive lab experiments, interactive teaching workshops, and small-group work time facilitated by an experienced TEPI. 

Option 2: virtual. A virtual training is typically held annually on Zoom in early January. Additional trainings may be held at other times. Check the “Apply for TEPI Training” section at left for accurate options. 

Typical virtual format: The training is typically held for 4-5 days, Monday through Friday. Sessions include independent lab experiments at your institution, synchronous interactive teaching workshops, and online small-group work time facilitated by an experienced TEPI. Note: This option is best for those who have extensive environmental microbiology experience and need a flexible option that does not require travel to a training site. The virtual format maintains the full rigor of the curriculum and requires participants to commit to the entire week of training, including coordination for the use of their lab and lab supplies. 

Check the “Apply for TEPI Training” section at left for accurate options. The application includes a list of all available dates and sites where you can indicate your preferences for upcoming dates and locations. You will not be assigned to a training location or date that does not work with your schedule.

Complete the application form linked on this page. Application cycles open and close based upon scheduled training dates. Email us at tinyearth@wid.wisc.edu if you have any questions or need help applying.

Tiny Earth is very flexible! It can be taught as a standalone course for incoming first-year students, a capstone for seniors, or anything in between. An introductory microbiology or biology course can be configured to accommodate Tiny Earth research. Some instructors have even combined it with other course-based research experiences (CUREs) so students have multiple research opportunities in one semester. 

The course is ideal in a wet-lab, in-person environment and has been designed to be low-cost. We have also adapted it for virtual, remote, and hybrid contexts.

Check the “Apply for TEPI Training” section at the left for accurate options.

The TEPI Training is designed for college instructors who intend to teach Tiny Earth in the next 12-18 months. In general, we seek applicants with a background in microbiology research and teaching experience, who have the proper biosafety training and laboratory environment to handle BSL-2 organisms, and who are passionate about improving hands-on student research experiences. We especially encourage applications for two-year colleges and rural areas.

We aim to notify participants 2-3 months prior to a training date. If you have questions or concerns about your application, please email us at tinyearth@wid.wisc.edu.

Start-up Equipment Requirements

What are TEPIs saying about the TEPI Training?

“LOVED EVERY MOMENT! Extremely relevant and applicable information for everyone and modifiable to meet the needs of courses, institutional requirements, and abilities.”

“This was a great experience. Coming in, I felt like I knew a lot, but I feel like I’m going home with so much more knowledge and shifts in perspective than I ever imagined.”

“I came in with a lot of lab experience and was concerned the course wouldn’t help me much, but just the teaching training by itself was enough to justify the time and travel.”

“This amazing program is all about empowering educators to teach real-world antibiotic discovery and tackling the global challenge of antibiotic resistance.”

“Tiny Earth is more than just a program—it’s a growing global movement, and I’m so proud to now be part of it.”

“It was the best professional development experience I’ve ever attended. The organization and resources were phenomenal. I feel inspired to be part of this group of amazing scientists and educators. It was helpful to interact across disciplines and institution types—truly a clear example of the strength in diversity.”

Already a TEPI?

The TEPI website is your one-stop-shop for all instructor resources curated for teaching Tiny Earth courses. Access to the TEPI website is limited to instructors who have participated in a TEPI Training or have been approved through the opt-in process. The TEPI website requires a NetID and password to log in. Need a NetID or forgot it? Email tinyearth@wid.wisc.edu.

On the TEPI website, you’ll find materials for: 

  • Teaching the Tiny Earth course-based undergraduate research experience (CURE):
    • Access the instructor guide and order student guides.
    • Download additional protocols for lab modules.
    • Register for instructor Tiny Earth Discovery Database accounts.
    • Watch and share video protocols with your students.
  • Teaching Tiny Earth Course Extensions:
    • Access materials for Tiny Earth Genomics, Chemistry, and Bioprospecting courses and modules.
    • Learn more about the Tiny Earth Chemistry Hub and how to send isolates to TECH for downstream antimicrobial discovery research.
  • TEPI Network News:
    • View announcements about TEPI workshops, symposiums, and more.
    • Watch all recorded workshops & webinars.
    • Learn how to become a Certified TEPI Trainer.
    • Explore ways to get involved.