Community involvement in addressing the antibiotic crisis.

Area of Science:

• Microbiology
• STEM Education
• Scientific Outreach

Background:

• Postsecondary institutions prioritize increasing student interest and success in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) fields.
• Course Undergraduate Research Experiences (CUREs) are a documented method to enhance student engagement and achievement in STEM.
• The Tiny Earth organization focuses on antibiotic discovery through undergraduate research.

Purpose of the Study:

• To implement a CURE focused on antibiotic discovery for undergraduate microbiology students.
• To enhance community engagement and scientific outreach through a symposium.
• To assess the impact of the CURE and symposium on student learning and public trust in science.

Main Methods:

• Students in undergraduate microbiology courses participated in antibiotic discovery research.
• A "Tiny Earth in Titletown" symposium was organized in collaboration with the Green Bay Packers.
• Students presented their research findings via scientific posters to community and industry members.

Main Results:

• The "Tiny Earth in Titletown" symposium, initiated in 2018, was held in 2019 and resumed in 2022 after a hiatus.
• Record attendance in 2022 suggests increased community engagement with scientific research.
• The event facilitated networking opportunities between students, scientists, and industry professionals.

Conclusions:

• CUREs provide valuable research experience for undergraduate students in STEM fields.
• Community outreach events like the symposium can effectively bridge the gap between science and the public.
• Scientific engagement initiatives may contribute to rebuilding public trust in science, particularly post-pandemic.