How to spark interest in microbiology: Dr. Dave Westenberg

Joyful Microbe

How do you get people interested in microbiology? Microbiology can be quite abstract since it is the study of organisms we most of the time cannot see without the aid of a microscope.

Someone who has a passion for helping people discover a love for microbes is Dr. Dave Westenberg. I brought Dave onto the Joyful Microbe podcast because of his passion for microbiology education. He is a professor of Biological Sciences at Missouri University of Science and Technology, has a PhD in microbiology and molecular genetics, and calls himself a “juggler of microbes.” Don’t worry. We talk about what that means.

He teaches at the university level but also does outreach at the K–12 level and to the general public through events. We talk about how he approaches microbiology education by creating relatable connections and using art and the beauty of colorful microbes to spark curiosity.

In this episode, you will learn about…

• What it means to be a “juggler of microbes”
• What the world looks like through a microbiologist’s eyes
• Why microbes are amazing
• Microbiology teaching strategies
• What microbial agar art is
• How microbes can glow in the dark (bioluminescence)
• A great resource to help you find microbes in your daily life
• Hands-on activity to create a colorful microbial ecosystem (Winogradsky columns)
• Microbiology and teaching resources

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JOYFUL WINOGRADSKY COLUMN GUIDE: https://joyfulmicrobe.com/joyfulwinogradskycolumn/