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...
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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.
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"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.
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Factors Affecting Microbial Growth
Students 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 growth of...
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Good Guys - Small Packages
Learners 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...
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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.
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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.
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The Identification of Bacteria
Students 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.
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Life in a Forest Stream
Students assess macro-invertebrates from a stream. In this science lesson plan, students observe, classify and identify organisms found in a stream. A lab station is constructed at the stream sight and students study the different...
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How Microbes Help Ecosystems
Sixth graders observe different microorganisms under the microscope. In this biology lesson, 6th graders draw and describe the samples they see. They study the root nodules of plants and explain how the plants benefit from those bacteria.
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The Challenge to Deliver Insulin
Students study the types of diabetes and why insulin is important. In this diabetes instructional activity students build molecular models and create a healthy lifestyle plan.
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Yogurt Production
Learners work together to complete an experiment making yogurt. They test different temperatures and different amount of ingredients. They record and analyze their data.
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Bacterial Transformation Kit
Students participate in an experiment in which they practice moving genes from one organism to another. They examine the results of a recombination of jellyfish. They identify different types of bacteria as well.
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Aerobic and Anaerobic Microbe Analysis in a Subarctic Setting
Young scholars investigate the relationships between protozoa, algae and monera in freshwater, shoreline soil, and reindeer rumen. They publish reports of their findings.
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Petri-fied of Bacteria
Students examine the existence of bacteria all around them and consider the roles, both positive and negative, that bacteria play. Over a period of several days, students conduct an experiment in which they predict, determine, log, and...
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Comparing Microscopic Organisms in Fresh and Polluted Water: An Invitation To Inquiry
Students have the opportunity to develop and formulate ideas and explanations through the scientific standard of inquiry. They identify organisms by using an identification key for specific aquatic geographical area.
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How Small is Small?
Students view the video "The Invisible World" and discuss different types of microscopes and what can be seen with each type. They work in pairs to view several objects with a microscope.
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Dirt Life
Students select and collect soil samples from a variety of locations (schoolyard, home, etc.). They do this lab after an interest-generating discussion about "dirt" and microbes. Students make a dilution in sterile water, plate it on a...
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Water Filtration
Students 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 disinfection.
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Gold Mine
Students investigate gold. In this gold panning lesson, students demonstrate the process of mining through an experiment using two boxes of sand. Students design a safe way to mine gold.
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A Watershed Monitoring Module
Students explore the relevance of water quality monitoring in relation to a local wetland ecosystem. They conduct standard water quality tests using wet tests and CBL calculators and probes. Student record and interpret the results.
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Invent PCR: You May Win a Nobel Prize
Students gain an appreciation for the simplicity, but also complexity and elegance of PCR. They comprehend all components of the protocol. Students explain exactly how CPR works, and why, after the third cycle, the predominant DNA being...
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Gold Mine
Young scholars view and discuss a demonstration of how gold is mined and panned. They design and create a tunnel that has reinforcements to withstand collapse.
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Microbial Spoilers: The Impact of Microorganisms on the Shelf-life of Milk
Pupils are inroduced to a commonly used microbial culturing technique. They explore the role of microorganisms in determining the shelf-life of food products.