Library Outreach in Delaware
Jan 07, 2026 • 6:47 PM UTC
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Workshops and Events
Tania Wiest
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The Delaware Biotechnology Institute (DBI) at the University of Delaware is passionate about bringing the wonders of science to youth around the state. DBI connects faculty at UD doing biotechnology research in environmental, medical, and agricultural sciences, giving them a space to work and collaborate. DBI has a program to give graduate students working in their labs outreach experience, the Townsend Outreach Fellowship.
In 2024, two fellows designed the "Microscopic Marvels" program, where they took 5-6 foldscopes and prepared slides of various plant, animal, and fungal tissues to libraries across the state to show children from diverse backgrounds the marvels of the microscopic world. We set up a table in a high traffic part of each library, and allow children to approach the table and spend however long they want exploring depending on their interest. Some kids observe one slide and then disappear into the books, while others will spend up to 30 minutes looking at dozens of slides. We give each student the freedom to discover to their heart's content.
In Fall 2025 the Fast & Curious tour came to UD and provided 7 new foldscopes to support this program, which continues into 2026, with no plans to stop any time soon.
In 2024, two fellows designed the "Microscopic Marvels" program, where they took 5-6 foldscopes and prepared slides of various plant, animal, and fungal tissues to libraries across the state to show children from diverse backgrounds the marvels of the microscopic world. We set up a table in a high traffic part of each library, and allow children to approach the table and spend however long they want exploring depending on their interest. Some kids observe one slide and then disappear into the books, while others will spend up to 30 minutes looking at dozens of slides. We give each student the freedom to discover to their heart's content.
In Fall 2025 the Fast & Curious tour came to UD and provided 7 new foldscopes to support this program, which continues into 2026, with no plans to stop any time soon.
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