World Tuberculosis Day

In honor of Robert Koch’s discovery of Mycobacterium tuberculosis, the causative agent of tuberculosis, the second most deadly infectious disease in human history, World Tuberculosis Day is globally recognized on March 24 each year.

Since 2011, members of the Colorado State University Mycobacteria Research Laboratories, one of the largest groups of tuberculosis researchers in the world, raise awareness of tuberculosis and research efforts to end its ongoing global proliferation through local high school outreach to engage the next generation of scientists.

In addition to an introduction to tuberculosis, the causative mycobacteria, and its’ history in Colorado, teams of MRL volunteers lead classrooms through three hands-on lab and demonstration rotations to exam lung x-rays, try-on powered air-purifying respirator (PAPRs) worn by TB researchers, and perform rapid molecular diagnostic tests used in resource-poor settings.

All necessary supplies are brought by MRL researchers, so hosting World TB Day activities in your classroom is free.

Students will also have the opportunity to interact with current CSU faculty, research professionals, and students involved in mycobacteria research, and learn how they can get involved with scientific research as a current high school student and/or future college student.

Bring World TB Day to Your Classroom

We are now recruiting for Northern Colorado high school classrooms to host 2025 World TB Day activities to take place March 25-27, 2025.

Preferred Classes

• High schools within a ~45 minute commute from Colorado State University.
• Science and related classes consisting primarily of sophomores and juniors.
• ~30 students with enough space for three separate stations to occur.
• One block class period (~80 minutes).

Please contact us – schools and classes outside this preferred criteria will be considered based on availability of our volunteers and resources.