Teachers and educators
Welcome to the heart of hands-on discovery
Epolleo’s Collections in the Classroom initiative empowers students and teachers across the country to take part in real-world microbial science—by collecting, documenting, and submitting biological samples that help build the world’s first open, student-fed microbial diversity library.
Every soil sample, leaf, or bug collection submitted contributes directly to our understanding of Earth’s invisible ecosystems. But more importantly, it gives students a chance to act as scientists, innovators, and environmental stewards in their own communities.
By participating, classrooms become gateways to the future of biotechnology. Students learn how to properly gather and log data, practice essential lab and field protocols, and understand how microorganisms can drive advancements in medicine, agriculture, climate resilience, and clean energy.
Their contributions are logged, curated, and—if unique—preserved as part of a permanent scientific repository, with student-submitted data viewable by global researchers.
For teachers, this is more than a project—it’s a launchpad. Collections in the Classroom offers a flexible framework for inquiry-based learning, empowering educators to guide students through authentic research while building skills aligned with a growing bioeconomy.
This isn’t a simulation. It’s real science. And the future starts at the school lab bench.
Join us in shaping the next generation of researchers—one collection at a time.
Students
STEM Learning and Engagement
STEM Learning and Engagement
STEM Learning and Engagement
Epolleo’s Collections in the Classroom program brings STEM to life by turning students into real-world contributors to microbial science.
By collecting, documenting, and submitting environmental samples, students engage directly in authentic research—learning how to follow scientific protocols, log geospatial data, and understand microbial diversity in context. This hands-on experience connects classroom learning to global scientific goals, reinforcing biology, ecology, data science, and bioinformatics in a tangible way.
Teachers can integrate the project across science standards, encouraging inquiry, critical thinking, and teamwork.
As students see their samples included in a real database used by scientists, they gain a sense of purpose and belonging in the broader STEM ecosystem.
This initiative not only demystifies science—it builds lasting STEM identity, inspiring curiosity, environmental awareness, and potential career paths in biotechnology, research, and conservation. It's an accessible, scalable way to nurture the next generation of innovators—especially in underserved or underrepresented communities.
Sample Collection
STEM Learning and Engagement
STEM Learning and Engagement
The Epolleo collection process engages K–12 students in skill-building activities that mirror real scientific practice. From kindergarten to high school, students participate in age-appropriate, hands-on sample collection—learning how to observe environments, ask questions, and record detailed observations.
As they gather and submit microbial samples, they develop foundational STEM skills: documenting metadata like location, conditions, and collection methods; working with basic tools; and understanding lab safety and ethics. The project emphasizes critical thinking by prompting students to analyze what microbes might live where—and why.
In middle and high school, students dive deeper into scientific reasoning, collaborating in groups to organize data, cross-check logs, and communicate findings. Group-supported activities foster teamwork, problem-solving, and leadership.
Younger students build curiosity and observation skills; older students practice the discipline of structured research.
Across all levels, the program cultivates confidence, scientific literacy, and real-world insight—laying the foundation for a future in science, biotechnology, or environmental stewardship.
What your Samples Mean
STEM Learning and Engagement
What your Samples Mean
The Epolleo collection process is designed to connect classroom learning to real-world innovation.
Once students submit samples, they can track their journey through a classroom dashboard—watching as their contributions are logged, screened, and potentially added to Epolleo’s microbial database. If a novel microbe is discovered, students may learn about microbial nomenclature and even suggest names, making taxonomy a participatory, exciting process.
The dashboard also features a “New Ideas” section, showcasing real innovations—like biotech tools, medical research, or environmental solutions—that originated from samples just like theirs.
This transparency allows students and teachers to see how microbial research leads to discovery, fueling STEM engagement and creativity. The dashboard fosters curiosity, critical thinking, and the understanding that classroom work can impact science globally.
Whether it’s tracking the use of a class sample in future research or watching another school’s sample spark a product idea, students are empowered to see their efforts as meaningful, innovative, and connected to the future of science.
Collections in the Classroom: Real Science, Real Impact
Connecting Students Everywhere
Welcome to the Collections in the Classroom program—Epolleo’s flagship initiative connecting K–12 students and educators to real-world microbial research. This isn’t a simulation or a one-time lab demo. It’s a national opportunity for students to step into the role of field scientists, collecting microbial samples from their own environments and contributing directly to global discovery.
Through simple, age-appropriate tools and protocols, students collect soil, water, or plant surface samples from schoolyards, neighborhoods, and ecosystems near them. Each sample includes documented metadata—like location, collection method, and environmental conditions—teaching students to value accuracy, context, and critical observation.
Once submitted, samples enter Epolleo’s microbial curation pipeline. From here, students and teachers gain access to a classroom dashboard where they can:
- Track sample progress
- Explore data maps
- Learn about microbial naming
- Suggest names for novel organisms
- View the "New Ideas" section to see innovations sparked by classroom submissions
This program is designed to integrate with existing curriculum, supporting science standards while building key STEM skills: collaboration, documentation, communication, and inquiry. It’s accessible to all classrooms, including under-resourced schools, and emphasizes inclusivity, relevance, and real-world application.
For students, it builds a STEM identity early—one rooted in curiosity, contribution, and possibility. For teachers, it’s a chance to turn your classroom into a hub for discovery and exploration.
Join us and turn everyday environments into portals of innovation. Because when students discover the microbial world, they start to see their place in shaping the future.
