It's Tuberculosis!

Spring 2026 #SciComm Project: It's Tuberculosis

It is around this time that I post my students’ #SciComm contributions on this blog.  This year is no different, EXCEPT that there is only one project—a dance.  Although this assignment was borne of necessity and creativity during the initial campus shutdown due to COVID-19 in March 2020, it has evolved over the years.  As you can see, students have contributed original works of art, videos, and insightful blogs discussing the importance of antibiotic stewardship, antimicrobial resistance, microbial ecology, and their participation in Tiny Earth.  

This assignment excites me. Science communication is an important skill for students to learn.  The assignment gives students different thinking muscles to use to convey an important topic, and it allows me to get to know the students better.  I enjoy creativity.  I like art, music, and different ways of thinking about problems.

As in prior years, when I’ve assigned the project, I gave the students a challenge.  Come up with a group dance, similar to the Dance Your Ph.D. Contest from Science around one of the approved topics and perform it at the SIRIUS STEM Conference on campus. I didn’t think much of it because no one had taken me up on this challenge in the past.  This semester was different.  The students accepted the challenge!

The students focused their dance around the book Everything is Tuberculosis by John Green.  Green’s book was selected as Sacramento State’s OneBook, a common read, for the 2025-2026 academic year, and it was a good fit for our class as we studied antimicrobial resistance.  Inspired by Green’s narrative storytelling and Henry’s story, featured in the book, the students worked together on a dance and partnered with a friend of the class to compose and arrange original music.  In the end, we have the video above,  which features themes from the book.

Students worked tirelessly on all aspects of the dance.  They needed to understand the science of tuberculosis and its treatment, the social determinants of health, and the importance of awareness.  The group worked together to negotiate time schedules, choreograph and coordinate the dance, and navigate working with a group of ten people. It was impressive to witness this project come together and read their reflections on the assignment.

The big question I’ve been asked by my colleagues is, “How did you get your students to do this?” My answer is that I didn’t. The students took the initiative on their own.  I feel very privileged to teach this class each year, and this year is no exception.  I am grateful for all the students’ hard work, dedication, and enthusiasm.  To say I am so proud is an understatement!

Lastly, if you’ve made it this far, I encourage you to read Everything is Tuberculosis and learn more about this disease that still exists. For more information on tuberculosis, please visit TBFighters.