Infectious Diseases

September 29, 2023

Educational event zooms in on complex world of microbes

More than 100 children and their families attended the sixth annual MEGAMicrobe community science recently at Gower Elementary School in Nashville.

By: Bill Snyder
Sage Davis, 4, observes microbial “snakes” and “space bears” (tardigrades) under the microscope with his parents, Corinne and Gerald.
Sage Davis, 4, observes microbial “snakes” and “space bears” (tardigrades) under the microscope with his parents, Corinne and Gerald during the MEGAMicrobe community science event. (all photos by Donn Jones)

More than 100 children and their families attended the sixth annual MEGAMicrobe community science recently at Gower Elementary School in Nashville.

Lauren Gansereit and Iris Sun describe introduce young scientists-to-be to the wonders of the world of microbes. Gansereit is a research assistant and Sun a research technician in the laboratory of William Wan, PhD, assistant professor of Biochemistry.
Lauren Gansereit and Iris Sun describe introduce young scientists-to-be to the wonders of the world of microbes. Gansereit is a research assistant and Sun a research technician in the laboratory of William Wan, PhD, assistant professor of Biochemistry.

Hosted by the Vanderbilt Institute for Infection, Immunology and Inflammation (VI4) in partnership with Nashville’s Adventure Science Center, MEGAMicrobe invites children ages 5 to 14 to conduct science experiments, join hands-on activities and games, and take home prizes and giveaways.

“This event is always a hit with the children,” said VI4’s program manager, Megan Schladt, MS. “I overheard one little boy tell his mom as they were leaving that it was the most fun thing he’s ever done.”

This year’s theme was Mission:Microbe. Among 17 booths staffed by Vanderbilt students and researchers were “Frogs and Mission Earth;” “MEGAMooocrobes,” a voyage into the digestive tract of an “astronaut cow;” and “Survivor Microbe,” an exploration of microscopic water bears (tardigrades) that look like they’re from another planet.

“We are proud of our students, postdocs and faculty for the hard work they put into it to make sure everyone has a great experience,” Schladt said. “It’s often one of the first interactions the kids have with a ‘real’ scientist. We hope we’ll inspire some of the students to develop an interest in studying science.”

For more information, visit https://www.vumc.org/viiii/megamicrobe.

Thiago Borrero, 5, is gloved and ready for action at the first station of the MEGAMicrobe community science event held Sept. 23 at Gower Elementary School in Nashville, as his sister, Samantha Borrero, 9, observes the rules of the game.
Thiago Borrero, 5, is gloved and ready for action at the first station of the MEGAMicrobe community science event held Sept. 23 at Gower Elementary School in Nashville, as his sister, Samantha Borrero, 9, observes the rules of the game.
Jack Phillips, 10, and his sister Francine, 8, with help from graduate student Isabella Sirit, right, tackle an activity that demonstrates how epithelial cells protect themselves from microbes, as their mother, Amanda Phillips, watches.
Jack Phillips, 10, and his sister Francine, 8, with help from graduate student Isabella Sirit, right, tackle an activity that demonstrates how epithelial cells protect themselves from microbes, as their mother, Amanda Phillips, watches.