Citizen Science Brings Science Fair Projects to Everyone

Citizen Science Brings Science Fair Projects to Everyone

“Science fairs are for the privileged”, science writer Carl Zimmer wrote after his daughter’s experience this last year. In 2016? Really? Back in the days of shoulder pads and big hair when I did science fair projects – YES. Kids needed teachers, parents, and maybe university or other professionals to give students access to equipment and bound journal articles. So although I was from a middle-class, working family in a small, rural town in North Alabama, I was extremely privileged to have people in my community help and support my interest in all things microscopic. Today, with only a smart phone and Internet access, students can do great science fair projects AND contribute to larger research programs.

The National Microbiome Initiative: A lucky day for all

The National Microbiome Initiative: A lucky day for all

Friday the 13th, 2016 was a lucky day for the field of microbiome science, human and environmental health. The National Microbiome Initiative (NMI) launched with more than $121 million being invested from U.S. Federal agencies into microbiome research. We are realizing that microbial ecology really runs our world and lives. So the NMI seeks to understand how microorganisms interact with other species and the environment to protect and restore healthy microbiomes.

Time is Running Out for “Culture as Medium”

Time is Running Out for “Culture as Medium”

  If you are in the Baltimore area between now and May 20th and haven’t experienced an aspect of the science-art exhibit – Culture as Medium – time is running out! Culture as Medium, celebrates Baltimore as a growing and thriving biotechnology and artistic hot spot, while encompassing the complexity and diversity of the city. The exhibit explores the intersection of art and science through exhibiting art by internationally recognized scientists and artists, as well as several performance art/science opportunities. Culture as Medium is an “evolving” exhibit inviting visitors to explore and merge the boundaries of art and science, the visible and invisible portions of our world. Opening at the Motor House Curated by Margaret MacDonald of the Maryland Institute of Art (MICA), Culture as Medium, spans different areas of the city. The first installation of the exhibit opened at the Motor House in the Station North Arts and Entertainment District on April 1st. Dr. François Joseph Lapointe from the University of Montreal conducted a performance “microbiome selfie” collecting microbiome samples from his tongue every 10 minutes after eating kimchi for an hour. Kimchi was chosen for his food microbiome selfie to honor the Koren population in the surrounding area. Visitors

The Hunt is On: Finding New Antibiotics

The Hunt is On: Finding New Antibiotics

Today’s post is the first guest post on Mostly Microbes. Dr. Adam Roberts at the University College London and one of his students, Tim Walker, share their initial findings from their citizen science project to isolate novel antibiotics – Swab and Send. Ever wonder what unusual bacteria might be lurking in your kid’s smelly, worn out shoes or under their fingernails? In your office fridge? On the dog’s paws? Donate to Swab and Send and the Roberts’ lab will send you materials to collect the samples, isolate the bacteria, and test them for novel antibacterial and fungicides! Photos of the swab isolates and their antimicrobial activity is posted on their Facebook page. For some of my favorites – see the Storify at the end of the post. I’m looking forward to purchasing a kit and setting the kids (and myself) loose with swabs. – Anne Update 6/21/17 – The Atlantic has a great article about Swab and Send – Could the Answer to Our Most Urgent Health Crisis Be Found on a Toilet Seat?  

#BmoreSciSlam: A Science Communication Challenge

#BmoreSciSlam: A Science Communication Challenge

I had a great deal of fun Friday night, 3/11/16, visiting the Baltimore UnderGround Science Space (BUGSS) for their first #BmoreSciSlam. BUGSS is a great citizen science makerspace/hackerspace where members have access to molecular biology lab equipment, 3D printers, and the technical expertise of lab and program manager Dr. Sarah Laun. Founded by Dr. Tom  Burkett, BUGSS offers classes, workshops, featured speakers, and many other exciting activities for people interested in biotechnology. If you are in the Baltimore Metro area, join their email list to keep up with the many events they sponsor. There’s an upcoming talk on the science of coffee I need to get on my calendar! They are also co-hosting a microbe-art event. Stay tuned for more details on that! Another sponsor of the event was Project Bridge – a group of graduate students at Johns Hopkins University who have Science Cafes, go to farmer’s markets, and sponsor other events to communicate science to the public. As a graduate research assistant at the University of Arizona in the ADVANCE program, we featured several “Data Blitzes”. which were 5 minute research talks. I’d seen several and thought it would be easy and fun. Well, fun it was, easy – not so

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