Microbiology Teacher Resources

Life science learners read a set of six short Discovery Readings that describe historical events in the field of microbiology. For each, they identify clues about when the event occurred and then they try to arrange events in...

How dirty is the water you consume? Pupils investigate a contaminated water source to determine the bacterial cell count. They participate in a discussion once results are obtained and relate this to drinking water and health safety.

Students determine the optimal living conditions for yeast and apply these results to microbes in food. In this microbiology lab lesson, students observe the reaction of yeast to elevated temperatures. They relate these results to safe...

Middle schoolers explore how sewer systems can contribute to water pollution and perform an experiment to see how well a water purification technique can protect against water-born microbial illnesses. They compare the bacterial growth...

In this biology worksheet, high schoolers are introduced to the practices of safety as related to using a laboratory and then answer some questions as an assessment.

Students grow bacteria cultures on agar in petri dishes and do a plate count. They participate in a yogurt making lab to see how bacteria produce lactic acid. They prepare a recipe and identify fungi, fermentation and the role of...

Students investigate and determine which types of carbohydrates Baker's yeast prefers. They crumble Cheerios, Smarties, and Fruit Loops and feed them to the yeast and watch what happens, when the bags begin to barf.

Sometimes things can be hidden in plain sight. Assist your young biologists as they explore the hidden lives of microorganisms surviving in water. Pupils bring samples of water to class and view these under the microscope to witness the...

Although the points given on these slides are valid, the visual accessibility is poor. Consequently, many viewers would be distracted or entirely unable to view the presentation.  The content is a review of microorganisms and their...

Students explore the importance of bacteria in the ocean water. In this bacteria instructional activity, students demonstrate how to practice aseptic techniques and how to culture bacteria.

Learners consider the procedures and safety issues involved in food preservation. They conduct experiments in canning, freezing and drying. If everyone can preserve food utilizing a variety of methods and science principles, the lesson...

A comprehensive lesson teaches scholars about the contamination effects of water. By testing local water sources for contaminants, young scientists connect the concepts at a personal level.

A comprehensive lesson teaches scholars about the contamination effects of water. By testing local water sources for contaminants, young scientists connect the concepts at a personal level.

Students begin by completing a survey asking them to rank their concerns about commercially prepared foods. They develop a definition of relative risk, and complete the "Pro or Con" worksheet. Students work in groups to make a study of...

Your life science class works in their groups to review the concept maps that they have constructed over the course of a microbiology unit. They share what they have learned with the rest of the class. In a second session, they are given...

Young scholars explore, analyze, study and demonstrate the procedures that municipal water plants may use to purify water for drinking. They cover the clean water processes of aeration, coagulation, sedimentation, filtration and...

Students collect water samples and use a microscope to find bacteria in the samples. They categorize the different bacteria they find, determine the number of colonies there are, and predict how the bacteria levels might affect animals...

High schoolers research the possible sources and human health effects of microbes found in recreational and drinking water. They explore the range of negative outcomes of contact with contaminated recreational and drinking water by...

Looking for an interesting text to share the world of microbes with your middle school classroom? The edition contains explanations, worksheets, experiments, discussions, and links to outside sources for a true and complete microbiology...

Students investigate the characteristics and nature of yeast and molds help to explain how these microorganisms affect food production. They experiment with yeast in sourdough in preparing sourdough pancakes.

Did you hear the joke about bacteria? Never mind, I don't want to spread it around. The instructional activity begins with pupils making a representation of chromosomal material modeling the bacterial cell. Then, they use swabs to test...

Peas spoilage hot, peas spoilage cold: examine the bacterial growth on newly defrosted peas versus peas that have been defrosted for 24 hours. Using the session one questions in the "Microbes and Food Spoilage" PDF, learners will make...

Bacteria and viruses are responsible for mass carnage, so what better way to learn about them than through creating a wanted poster? The wanted poster idea can be used for many different topics, so if you aren't teaching about bacteria,...

Here's a video that will light up your day! Young scientists learn about fluorescence by watching an engaging video in the ACS Reactions series. They also study the uses of fluorescence in microbiology, quantum dots, and forensic science.