In May 2000 the 9th grade honors biology students of Roland Park Country School decided to launch a research project to investigate the ecology of soil microbes. The group named their new project the "Little Things That Run the World." The students are engaged in real scientific research and have completed nearly 50 research investigations since the inception of the program. They develop their own hypotheses, design and perform their own experimental protocols, analyze and evaluate their results and submit their findings for peer review. They also post their results for all to see on their "Little Things" Web site.

During the project the students learn how to work with, identify and estimate diverse populations of soil microbes and develop an understanding of the biochemistry of these organisms and their immediate micro-environment. Through the use of standard microbial research methodologies, the young researchers begin to gain an appreciation of the major role that soil microbes play in the ecosystem and how they influence and interact with multi-cellular organisms.

Due to high interest and enthusiasm, the program has recently been expanded. A separate, 3-week internship in microbial environmental field studies for 9th and 10th grade girls has been created. This sister program has been entitled the Environmental Science Summer Research Experience for Young Women (E.S.S.R.E.). This program is designed to give its interns an opportunity to engage in authentic and self-directed primary research into soil ecology. The internship also serves to nurture their overall interest in science and introduce them to several career options in the field.

After five successful seasons their Web site now includes more than 100 reviewed links to soil Web pages in an annotated bibliography, 15 experimental lessons for schools and educators, and three dozen data bases containing information on 22 environmental variables. To date these sister programs have directly touched the lives of more than 160 young women in the Greater Baltimore Metropolitan Area. Program participants have presented 15 sessions at NABT and NSTA regional and national conferences. Ultimately, "Little Things" and E.S.S.R.E. are designed to generate a deeper awareness of the intricacies of the natural world and humanity's place in the web of life. As posted on the "Little Things" Web site, "The microbial soil populations are the foundation of the entire terrestrial domain. As goes their fate, so goes ours."

"Little Things" has received funding through several organizations including the National Science Foundation, the Institute for Ecosystem Studies, Paul F. Brandwein Institute, Toshiba America Foundation and the Captain Planet Foundation. In 2002 they received national recognition for innovative curriculum development by receiving NSTA's Gustav Ohaus Award. They were also included in NSTA's recent Exemplary Science in Grades 9-12: Standards-Based Success Stories.

According to World Wildlife Fund, "Recognizing that the future of the planet lies in the hands of today's young people, WWF's Conservation Leadership Program is pleased to be associated with this project because it provides tomorrow's leaders with scientific knowledge and skills necessary to effectively address problems facing the global environment."