Tiny Earth Winter Symposium at Lambeau Field offers collaborative, innovative perspective on antibio

Students from areas across the state and nation will present their findings at the Tiny Earth in Titletown research symposium in the Lambeau Field Atrium on Friday, December 6, 2024 from 5 to 7:30 p.m. The event connects students, parents, faculty and community members from the region and across the country to showcase the collaborative and innovative efforts of students working together to mitigate the global public health crisis of antibiotic resistance. Registration for this community-based symposium is free and open to the public.

Wisconsin students, including UW-Green Bay, NWTC, College of Menominee Nation, St. Norbert College, Green Bay West High School and more, join 16,000 other students from 300 other college and universities across 47 states and 30 countries, in some version of the Tiny Earth course. While uncovering new antibiotics is the end-goal, the discoveries made along the way are worth the effort. The course provides students of all backgrounds with the opportunity for original thinking and scientific exploration, inspiring the next generation of scientists and healthcare professionals.

Student research is the showcase at the free community event hosted at Lambeau Field. At the beginning of the Tiny Earth course, students get their own soil sample to test. They isolate bacteria, conduct gene sequence analysis and are empowered by participating in research that has the potential to make a global impact. Most importantly, they realize that they are a part of something that is bigger than themselves.

"Tiny Earth has helped me discover the career path I want to take," said UW-Green Bay student Elizabeth Vera. "It has inspired me to finally start acting towards the future I want to achieve for me and those around me."

Tiny Earth's global network of educators teach a course-based undergraduate research experience (CURE), a form of active learning that offers a scalable way for all students to obtain research experience in college, thereby leveling the playing field and closing the gap for students from historically excluded communities. The course provides students with the opportunity for original thinking and scientific discovery of new antibiotics to address the world crisis of antibiotic resistance, thereby capturing the very aspects of science that inspire students to pursue STEM careers. Students are inspired to do authentic research, and be a part of a global effort addressing a looming global health crisis.

According to the World Health Organization, in the U.S., more than 2.8 million antimicrobial-resistant infections occur each year. People of all traditions and backgrounds have a vested interest in this global emergency. Tiny Earth highlights the partnership of students, educators, institutions of higher education and businesses throughout the region, and the value of collaboration in service to all communities.

"We depend on antibiotics-they are a vital, life-sustaining resource that should be valued and protected. I hope others will hear this wake-up call and recognize antibiotics as the unsung heroes they truly are, tirelessly fighting pathogens to keep us healthy," said NWTC student Kaila Carwin. "We need to ensure their continued effectiveness by educating on proper use and preventing misuse, not only for ourselves but for future generations. Let's respect and safeguard these irreplaceable tools in our fight against infection."

The keynote speaker for the Tiny Earth event is Laurel Legenza, PharmD, PhD, a research scientist with the Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health at the University of Wisconsin - Madison where she leads research projects on antimicrobial resistance geographic mapping and developing clinical decision support tools for infectious diseases.

Please see the Tiny Earth website for registration and program details, and be inspired by the next generation of scientists and healthcare professionals as they address the global health crisis of antibiotic resistance.