Life+Science+-+Bacteria

Bacteria

The following activities are to introduce the unit of the Kingdoms of Bacteria. They are very motivating and make the students think about healthy habits for a lifetime. How has bacteria impacted their lives and lives of people throughout the ages? What can we do about bacteria? What are its benefits? These are a few of the other questions and topics we discuss and learn about in this unit.

Hand Washing

1. Use 'Glo Germ' (Oil based simulated germs 1-800-842-6622). Put a nickel size dollop in each student's hand. Have them rub their hands together and spread the Glo Germ on their hands like hand lotion. (Do not tell them what it is.) 2. Have students go wash their hands as they normally do. 3. After washing their hands, have them put them in front of a black light. Places that they have not washed well will glow in the light. 4. Show them the correct procedure for washing their hands.(As per the AMA) 5. Students go wash their hands correctly. 6. They again check their hands under the light. This time there should be very few places that glow.

Use this activity as an introduction to the study of bacteria.

Petri Dish activity

1. Get each student or pair of students a prepared petri dish. Have them divide the dish with permanent marker on the bottom into 4-6 sections labeling with A, B, C, D. Using a q-tip, have them culture 4-6 different places in the school. Make sure they write down what they cultured and which section they used for the culture. After several days etc., compare the different growths in the culture. Have them apply this to their study of bacteria and viruses.

Glo-Germ Bug

1. From the same company 'Glo Germ' order a bug and powder. The bug is a stuffed animal that you put the powder on, and it doesn't show. (Don't let the students know about the powder on the bug!) We play a game called Eraser tag and toss the bug around. After a while, we go back to our studies. In the last twenty minutes of class, I pull out the black lights again. The students are able to see how many times they touched their face. They are surprised at how much powder they have transferred onto their nose, eyes, mouth etc. We then discuss again how germs are transmitted, and how we can prevent the spread of germs. The students are shocked and have a really good time laughing at this activity and their faces.