Tags

  • Science
  • Grades 6-8
Scientist wearing gloves and inspecting item

Antibiotic Hunters

Superpowered by Students

The Tiny Earth Network discovers new antibiotics šŸ¦  through the soil; and students do the hunting!

Why Research Matters

Jessiā€™s Story

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.

Transcript

ā€œWhat I went through in high school was tough, but I'm hoping that it can inspire someone.ā€

Questions to consider
  • Jessiā€™s 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 of treatments to find solutions for problems, and it took several tries over many years to find the right solution for Jessiā€™s infection. Can you think of a time when your first solution didnā€™t work and you had to try again?

Science Practices

Jo Handelsman

Students Ask Scientists

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 ā€œZone of Inhibitionā€. The Zone of Inhibition is an ā€˜observable phenomenonā€™ā€”which means something that you can see happening. Can you think of any other phenomena that you have observed in nature or in a science experiment?
Transcript

ā€œIt'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€

Science Practices Activity

Work with Amanda, the soil scientist, to look for effective antibiotics in soil and find the soil with the greatest potential of being rich in antibiotics.

Data Sheet

Use this data sheet to record your answers to Amandaā€™s questions!
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Relate

Meet The Scientists

Read about the scientists, then flip over the cards to learn more (and discover their secret superpower!) Who do you relate to the most?
Trading Card Template

Use this fillable PDF template to create your own scientist trading card.

View Download

There are 4 cards to read.

Jo Handelsman
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 itā€™s a dynamic and interesting place to work. āœØ

Austin Hall
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? šŸ”

Julia Nepper
Julia Nepper
Postdoctoral Researcher

I study how the microbes in the soil respond to chemicals produced by other organisms living in the soil. šŸ¦ 

Amanda Hurley
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. šŸ˜Š

Educator Resource

Scientist inspecting mixture

Educator Guide

Antibiotic Hunters: Superpowered by Students

Wondering how to spark additional learning using these media resources? Check out this guide developed by science educators, for science educators.

Inside this guide:

  • Additional information about the lab
  • Additional classroom activities to extend the learning
  • Aligned academic standards (NGSS and WSS)
Download

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 Lead
Travis Tangen

Educator Engagement Guide and Activities
Travis Tangen
Christina Swords
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 Advisory Group

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