Infectious Disease: Evolving Challenges to Human Health
Serendip: Microorganisms Everywhere
 Overview of Activity
This is an in class laboratory activity where students plate bacteria that they find around them from objects and places of their choice to determine where bacteria flourish.
Activity Type: Online Video Game
URLs: http://serendip.brynmawr.edu/sci_edu/waldron/
Microorganisms_everywhere.html
Grade Level: 9-12
Level of Difficulty: Introductory and Intermediate
Amount of Time Required for Activity: Two 40-minute Class Periods Spread Over Two Weeks
Recommended Uses:
Prior to attending exhibit, this may be used as an engaging activity to generate awareness of the prevalence of bacteria everywhere.
After visiting the exhibit, this activity may be used to reinforce for students an appreciation for the prevalance of bacteria in the world around them.
Description
Many students are unaware of the prevalence of bacteria around them. In this activity, students perform a laboratory experiment where they plate bacteria from surfaces on or around them onto agar plates. They will then incubate these plates for a few days to a week after which they observe and compare the growth of bacterial colonies on the plates. They also observe these growths under a microscope to get a closer look at the types of bacteria growing around them.
This activity is part of a series by Serendip, founded by the Bryn Mawr College.
Relation to the Science Standards
High School
Content Standard A - Abilities Necessary to Do Scientific Inquiry
Content Standard C - The Cell
Content Standard F - Population Growth
Content Standard F - Personal and Community Health
Content Standard F - Natural and Human-Induced Hazards
Related Part of the Exhibit
Where Are They?
Additional Related Links
http://serendip.brynmawr.edu/sci_edu/waldron/pdf/
MicroorganismsEverywhereProtocol.pdf
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