MEGAMicrobe Archive — Page 1 of 2

Child wearing safety goggles and a purple glove uses a pipette at a hands-on science demonstration while an adult assists from behind.
October 29, 2026

MEGAMicrobe event brings students into the wonderful world of microbes

Researchers from Vanderbilt University and Vanderbilt Health led activities to demonstrate how the “power” of science can reveal the important roles microscopic organisms play in the environment and human health.

By Bill Snyder and Erin O. Smith
Graduate student Chiamaka Okoye shows Nora Tidwell, 6, and Avah Floyd, 7, how the gastrointestinal bacterium H. pylori swims through stomach mucus by having them dip their gloved hands into a tub of slime and dried pasta.
October 15, 2026

MEGAMicrobe: Free, fun science event for students 5-15 on Oct. 24

Hosted by the Vanderbilt Institute for Infection, Immunology and Inflammation, the ninth annual MEGAMicrobe event invites students to conduct science experiments, join in hands-on activities, and win prizes and giveaways.

By Bill Snyder
Allyson Ray, PhD, a postdoctoral scholar in lab of Ann Tate, PhD (Biological Sciences), introduces a student to the wonderful world of microbes during MEGAMicrobe, Sept. 27 at the Jones Paideia Magnet School in Nashville. (photo by Susan Urmy)
October 7, 2025

MEGAMicrobe 2025

The event was held Sept. 27 at Jones Paideia Magnet School in Nashville.

Young girl with butterfly face paint reaches toward an eastern chain kingsnake held by an adult at a community science event.
September 4, 2025

MEGAMicrobe event for children set for Saturday, Sept. 27

By Bill Snyder
Chenyu Zhu takes a look at tardigrades, or water bears, through a microscope. (photo by Erin O. Smith)
October 28, 2024

MEGAMicrobe 2024 photo gallery

Scientists from Vanderbilt University and Vanderbilt University Medical Center led several activities to illustrate the important roles that microorganisms play in the environment and human health.

By Erin O. Smith
Graduate student Chiamaka Okoye shows Nora Tidwell, 6, and Avah Floyd, 7, how the gastrointestinal bacterium H. pylori swims through stomach mucus by having them dip their gloved hands into a tub of slime and dried pasta.
October 15, 2024

MEGAMicrobe event for children set for Saturday, Oct. 26

The seventh annual event invites students to conduct science experiments, join in hands-on activities, and win prizes and giveaways.

By Bill Snyder