Curated OER
Hazards of Defrosted Food
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...
Nuffield Foundation
Digestion of Protein: Microbes
Milk the resource for all it's worth. Young biologists perform assay techniques to test the digestion of protein. They place bacterial samples, fungal samples, trypsin solution, and distilled water on a milk-agar plate to see the effects...
Nuffield Foundation
How Good is Your Toilet Paper?
You'll never forget the importance of toilet paper and hand washing ever again. Scholars perform an experiment to model the transfer of microbes in the bathroom. They perform three trials to test the transmission of yeast using their...
Nuffield Foundation
Nitrogen-Fixing Bacteria in Root Nodules of Leguminous Plants
Fixin' to add a great resource to your plans? Scholars perform an experiment to investigate nitrogen-fixing bacteria from plant roots. Along the way, they learn about the concepts of symbiosis and mutualism.
Nuffield Foundation
Investigating Anti-Microbial Action
Join the fight against bacteria. An open investigation shows pupils different aspects of antimicrobial substances, such as disinfectants, deodorants, or plant oils. They design and conduct their own experiments on the effectiveness of...
National Center for Case Study Teaching in Science
A Case Study Involving Influenza and the Influenza Vaccine
Using a hypothetical discussion between two coworkers broken up into four parts, budding biologists examine the flu shot and some of the typical arguments for and against it. The conversational nature of the reading makes it engaging and...
Southwestern Medical Center
Field Epidemiology: Investigation of an Unknown Disease
More than 90 percent of the people in a building have come down with an illness, and it is your job to investigate. Teachers give scientists the data needed to decide what is important and how they can solve the mystery. The exercise is...
American Society for Microbiology
”Build a Bacterium” Scavenger Hunt
An exciting activity has scholars use cell parts to build bacteria through cooperation with other groups. Each group has some of the cell parts needed, but they must trade with other groups to be able to fulfill their function as a...
National Nanotechnology Infrastructure Network
The Effects of Colloidal Silver on Microbial Growth: Investigating Snake Oil Science
Can your classes solve the problem of the smelly sweat sock? Young scientists complete a lab investigation that begins by using electrochemistry to generate colloidal silver. They use their solutions to test the rate of microbial growth...
Curated OER
Helpful Microorganisms
Students study how some microorganisms are helpful and practical in foods. They work with microorganism in a number of food, such as yeast in bread and yogurt.
Curated OER
Food Safety Teamwork
Young scholars examine the different members of food safety teams and their role in the food safety cycle. They study how these teams work together to keep our food safe.
Curated OER
"The Yeast of Our Worries"
Students study yeasts or cellular respiration in this inquiry activity. They examine different types of bread to show which rise or do not. They measure the amount of carbon dioxide released by the yeasts when using different sweeteners.
Curated OER
Factors Affecting Microbial Growth
High schoolers listen to a lecture on four factors that influence microbial growth and they discuss how to test the optimal growth requirements of a designated bacterium. They design and carry out laboratory investigations to test...
Curated OER
Good Guys - Small Packages
Students read documentation about microorganisms in agriculture and share what they've read with partners. They taste samples of yogurt and describe the yogurt making process. They experiment with fermenting milk to recreate the yogurt...
Curated OER
Bacterial Transformation
Students discuss a bacterial experiment they previously performed and complete a pre-assessment. They participate in a lecture discussion given by the teacher through PowerPoint and then complete a cartoon worksheet and post-assessment.
Curated OER
Food Preservation: Food Science, Canning, Gardening
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...
Curated OER
Stream Quality Assessment
Students investigate many of the factors that affect water quality. They take measurements and water samples at a local stream and evaluate the health of their community's watershed. They write a report detailing their findings.
Curated OER
Should Soil Be Sterile?
Students determine if the sterilization of topsoil is beneficial to seed germination and plant growth. They grow plants alongside control groups, make and record observations of plant growth and measure plant biomass.
Curated OER
Food Safety-Consumers Need the Facts
High schoolers 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...
Curated OER
Smears
For this biology worksheet, young scholars are shown how to prepare a smear and then answer some review questions that address the proper preparation of a sample.
Curated OER
Micro-Ecosystems
Students create a sustainable, self-contained ecosystem in a ten-gallon aquarium.
Curated OER
The Identification of Bacteria
Young scholars are given a two week period to put to use the knowledge they have gained while studying bacteria. As a culminating activity, students each receive three unknown bacteria to identify.
Curated OER
How is Gold Found in the Ground?
Fourth graders participate in a series of activities designed to simulate mining for gold. They pan for "gold" and create a safe tunnel.
Curated OER
Investigative Case - Protistan Tales of Atlantic White Cedar Swamps
Students use this WebQuest to explore the vast diversity of microbes, especially those microbes of the Atlantic Cedar Swamps. They tell a story about the protests of the Atlantic Cedar Swamp in the form of anthropomorphism.