From online engagement to hands-on discovery: an integrated hybrid microbiology outreach model for students and educators

Hybrid outreach can bridge geographic distance while creating flexible and practical science learning experiences for students and educators. As an ASM Young Ambassador to Thailand while studying in the United States, I developed a hybrid microbiology outreach model that integrated online student seminars, international scientist engagement, educator professional development, and in-person hands-on activities. Online activities included a student seminar introducing microbiology careers and applications, a moderated microbiome research session highlighting community-based science and sequencing technologies, and an educator-focused session on strategies for keeping learners of all ages engaged and curious in science classrooms. In-person activities for high school students included yogurt making to introduce fermentation and beneficial microbes, followed by a case-based group activity in which students acted as poultry veterinarians, identifying pathogen transmission routes and proposing farm biosecurity solutions. This Tips and Tools article presents a practical framework for combining online seminars for students, face-to-face hands-on microbiology activities, case-based learning, and educator support into a synergistic outreach model. This approach demonstrates how low-cost, adaptable, and interactive activities can help students view microbiology as relevant to everyday life while supporting educators in developing inclusive, student-centered, and curiosity-driven learning environments.