Water Microbiology Lesson Plans

Students discover dangers to human health by researching what's in our drinking water.  For this water purification lesson, students discuss the conditions of water in undeveloped countries and why it is unsafe to drink.  Students work in groups to generate solutions for eliminating pathogens from drinking water.

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 and humans.

Eighth graders study the physical and functional characteristics of bacteria.  In this microbiology lesson students complete a lab on measuring bacteria growth. 

Learners examine the importance of aseptic technique, become familiar with media plates, and general microbiology techniques. They study the benefits and dangers of bacteria and other microorganisms in their lives.

Students 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 from cultures of tap water and river water.

Students demonstrate the four of five procedures that municipal water plants use to purify water for drinking. A water filtration system is designed by a student and their partner. A data chart is made to record all observations when the water is poured into the system.

Students complete an experiment on water to study water quality. In this water quality lesson, students complete a taste test experiment about chemicals in water. Students then study their local water environments and recorded toxins. Students write a 1-page response to the questions about water quality.

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

Students improve their skills and comprehend the particular application for which serial dilutions are a tool. Serial dilutions are often used in microbiology, biotechnology, and in chemistry classes, to name just a few.

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.