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Are Nanobacteria Alive: Sample Socratic Questions
Students comprehend the definition and uniqueness of life and its complexities. They examine what characteristics constitute a living organism. Students recognize the extent of the role nanobacteria play in the movement and molding of...
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Nitrogen Fixation, OR What a Gas!
Learners illustrate the adaptation and co-evolution of organisms. They examine set up an experiment to determine the effect of adding the Rhizobium bacteria to a group of legume seeds.
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Using A Winogradsky Column to Analyze Microbial Communities
Students use easily obtained materials to study ecological succession in a microbiological community. This investigation is appropriate for a variety of age groups. Elementary Students be fascinated by the changes occurring over time...
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Demonstrating an Epidemic
Students use an experiment that allows them to experience a small scale "epidemic", demonstrating the ease with which disease organisms are spread. Students determine the originator of the epidemic. They transfer live bacteria by hand...
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Smallest Thing
Young scholars compare characteristics of myobacteria and viruses to determine which is the smallest life form. They read and discuss an article that presents different viewpoints on the definition of life to determine their own viewpoint.
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Mutations--Preexisting or Acquired?
Students explore the reasoning and experimental approaches to mutations. They expose a culture of E. coli to virulent bacteriophage and observe whether mutations of the cells existed previously or if the bacteria mutated as a response...
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Phenotypic and Genotypic Changes in Bacteria
Students investigate a rapid method to render the bacterium Escherichia coli "competent" to uptake plasmid DNA. They demonstrate the phenotypic changes associated with transformation. They perform a cell resuspension from the...
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TE Activity: How Fast Can a Carrot Rot?
Middle schoolers experiment to define which environmental factors favor decomposition by soil microbes. They decompose carrots in dirt, weigh the carrots periodically to determine how long it takes. They look at how engineers use this...
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How Many Bacteria on Your Food?
Students discuss and conduct a food safety experiment which looks at bacteria and food poisoning. They swab the other area of some food and grow bacteria in an agar plate.
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Determining the Effectiveness of Handwashing
Students participate in an experiment in which they grow bacterial colonies. They examine the effects of antibiotics killing the germs. They discuss their findings to end the lesson.
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How To Culture Bacteria in the Laboratory
Learners participate in an experiment in which they culture bacteria in a lab setting. They record their observations and analyze the data. They answer comprehension questions to end the lesson plan.
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A Virtual Visit to the Microbial Zoo
High schoolers complete a WebQuest on viruses, bacteria, and protists. They explore various websites, and answer discussion questions.
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Immune System Alive
Learners examine the function of the immune system. They read and discuss text, complete a K-W-L chart, sequence photos of white blood cells encountering bacteria, develop an outline, and write an essay.
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Classy
Students explore the classification system in this seven lessons unit. The diversity of life forms and their characteristics are examined using a microscope. Kingdoms, classes, and families are investigated.
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Biofilms Are Everywhere
Students research biofilms and create brochures. They role play as advertising firm members assigned to educate the general public about biofilms. They create "wanted dead or alive" posters about harmful and helpful biofilms respectively.
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A Variety of Very Safe Veggies
Students study viruses and bacteria that can contaminate vegetables. They examine how vegetables can be preserved and what farmers might do to keep vegetables safe. They examine with pickling as a way to keep vegetable preserved safely.
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Soil Microbiology- Nitrogen cycle
Students take a virtual trip to a Catfish Aquaculture Pond and analyze soil bacteria to determine how many nitrogen cycle bacteria are present. They graph the number of colonies present and use data to determine ammonium levels in the soil.
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The Last Great Canal
Pupils read about a cholera outbreak in the 1840's. They read maps, predict how cholera moved throughout the country and participate in a lab activity that demonstrates how disease is spread. They compare cholera through time.
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Nutritional Influence on Illness and Disease
Learners examine nutritionally related diseases and illnesses, evaluating studies and developing topics for a science fair project. They investigate bacteria, researching how it can be harmful or helpful, and create illustrated displays.
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Gregory Carter
Students explore how the immune system, fights a war with a pathogenic organism: one of the many bacteria, viruses, and protozoans that can infect our bodies and cause disease.
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Stop that Germ!
Students experiment with glitter to explain the importance of washing hands and how germs are distributed. After a lecture/demo, students perfom a simple experiment which clearly demonstrates how germs are spread.
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On the Microbe Trail: An Introduction to Bacteria and Aseptic Technique
Tenth graders predict the conditions necessary for bacterial growth, test their predictions and at the same time practice the aseptic techniques and safety procedures needed when working with bacteria.
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Hazard Mitigation: Bioterrorism
Students discuss different ways to spread infectious diseases. In this bioterrorism lesson, students model the rate of smoke emission using CalRoad software. They analyze the effects of airborne release of biological...
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Funky Food Farm
Learners research about ways to keep food from spoiling. For this health science lesson, students design an experiment to keep the ice cubes from melting. They present their designs and results in class.