Have you ever wondered how new antibiotics are discovered?
First, meet Jessi to learn why this kind of research matters in real life today, and then join the Antibiotic Huntersāand students all over the worldāto discover new strains of antibiotics, with a goal to improve lives through science. Grab your science notebook to take notes as you go, and then share your discoveries with others!
Learn Why Research Matters
Jessi developed an infection when she was starting high school, but no matter what her doctors did it would not go away. Jessi shares about some of the challenges she faced living with an antibiotic resistant infection, and why it is important to always search for new antibiotics.
Questions to Consider:
Jessiās experience with antibiotic resistant bacteria made her curious about microbiology, and ultimately inspired her to go into a career in science. What experiences have you had that make you curious about science?
Doctors and scientists often have to try new methods or treatments to find solutions for problems, and it took several tries over many years to find the right solution for Jessiās infection. Can you think of a time when your first solution didnāt work and you had to try again?
āWhat I went through in high school was tough, but I’m hoping that it can inspire someone.ā
Meet The Scientists
There are 4 cards to read.
Jo Handelsman
Principal Investigator
I’m the lab leader, which means that I bring the scientists together, attract new people to do training in my lab, and ensure itās a dynamic and interesting place to work. āØ
Austin Hall
Graduate Student
As a graduate student, everyday I learn about the world of microbiology. One question I am interested in is: what special tools does a bacteria need to move into a community, also called a microbiome? š”
Julia Nepper
Postdoctoral Researcher
I study how the microbes in the soil respond to chemicals produced by other organisms living in the soil. š¦
Amanda Hurley
Postdoctoral Associate
In the laboratory, I spend lots of time testing ideas and generating information from experimentsā¦ and then discussing the results with friends. š
Whatās your superpower?
Use this fillable PDF template to create your own scientist trading card.
Learn About the Lab
Ever wonder what scientists do every day, or what kinds of phenomena they look for in their lab? Join middle schoolers from Oshkosh, Wisconsin and researchers from the Tiny Earth Network to learn more about what research really looks like!
Questions to Consider
Scientists are always asking questions, and then conducting experiments to try and answer their questions. What questions do you have about the world around you? What kind of experiments could you do to research your questions?
In the video, a researcher named Austin talks about something called a āZone of Inhibitionā. The Zone of Inhibition is an āobservable phenomenonāāor something that you can see happening. Can you think of any other phenomena that you have observed in nature or in a science experiment?
āIt’s important for everyone to pitch in so that we can really see the immense diversity that’s there in soil across the country.ā
Do Science!
Science Practices Activity
Lab researcher Amanda is investigating soil samples to hunt for new antibiotics. Can you help her identify soil types that might contain antibiotics?
Project Credits
Producers
Ian Glodich
Jessie Nixon
Videography
Ian Glodich
Editing
Ian Glodich
Sound
Beauxregard Neylon
Curtis Sorensen
Web
Norman Yuson CuaƱo
John Vieth
Tim Schneider
Design
Brian Lorbiecki
Amanda Roslansky
Scott Stetson
Amber Samdahl
Science Education Consultant
Travis Tangen, WID
Kevin Anderson, PhD, DPI
Educator Guide and Activities
Mia Forslund
Travis Tangen
Christina Swords
Sara Krauskopf
Millie Rolander
Anika Gupta
Kaitlin Edwards
Amanda Hurley
Thanks to our scientists
Jo Handelsman, PhD
Amanda Hurley, PhD
Deepa Acharya, PhD
Marc Chevrette, PhD
Julia Nepper, PhD
Austin Hall
Sarah Miller
Luis Balderrama
Project Partner
Morgridge Institute for Research
Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation
Wisconsin Institute for Discovery
Handelsman Lab
Executive Producer
Megan Monday
Director of Education
Alyssa Tsagong
Director of Television
Jon Miskowski
Educator Advisors
Sarah Adumat
Oshkosh Area School District, Oshkosh, WI
Traci Marsolek
School District of Eleva-Strum, Strum, WI
Deborah Hilscher
Traeger Middle School, Oshkosh, WI
Funding Provided By
Timothy William Trout Education Fund
a gift of Monroe and Sandra Trout
Focus Fund for Education
Friends of PBS Wisconsin