The Invisible Universe: Programs in Microbiology

Microbiology exercises are fun and easy to do.  Some can begin in the school and be completed during your visit to Columbus State.   Others can begin at the CSCC lab and be completed back in school.  A visit to the microbiology lab can include practical experience on microscope usage,  as well as visits to the full-size incubator and refrigerator.

GETTING THOSE GROSS GRIMY GERMS:  How effective is your disinfectant?  This lab enables students to test the effectiveness of common household disinfectants.  Then, take the prepared petri plates back to your classroom to measure and record your results.  Math follow-up activities  can include graphing and statistical calculations of the mean. 

WHAT’S ON THOSE GRUBBY HANDS: What’s on your hands after you touch that drinking fountain,  or that door handle...or that toilet?  Ugh!   This exercise lets students culture common surfaces and examine what microbes are present.  The prepared slides  can be used in the classroom to show bacteria.

SIMPLE STAIN/ GRAM STAIN:  Learn the techniques used by doctors to visualize microbes from your body.  Completed slides  can be taken back to your classroom.

HOW SAFE IS YOUR DRINKING WATER?  Water samples can be analyzed for the presence of bacterial contaminants.

DOES “MINTY FRESH” BREATH MEAN A STERILE MOUTH?  Advertisements say that mouthwashes kill the germs that cause bad breath….but do they really?  What’s the safest and best way to kill mouth germs?  Do you really WANT to kill all the germs in your mouth?

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