Keeping It Clean
Practicing aseptic technique.
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ward
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science
Recommended Grade Level(s):
Appropriate for: 8+ Grades
Time Requirements:
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Activity Time: 30 minutes
Teaching Topics & Concepts:
• This activity will provide your students with hands-on experience with aseptic technique without having
them work with real bacteria.
• As a follow-up, students should perform a root cause analysis for contamination they see.
Materials (per student):
1. Petri dish with solid bacteria medium.
a. Simulated media made with gelatin will also work. The media will not actually be inoculated with bacteria; it just needs to 'feel' real.
2. Cotton swabs or inoculating loops
a. Use sterile materials if you want your students to experience opening the packages with gloved hands.
3. Simulated "Bacterial suspension" in a test tube with a cap.
a. Approx. 200mL water with 2–3 drops of food coloring.
4. Disposable gloves
5. Paper towels for bench pads
Shared Materials:
6. Glo-Germ™ powder
7. UV light
8. Bench Sanitizer (spray bottle of bleach solution, or commercial kitchen cleaner)
Safety
• You should be wearing appropriate protective equipment during all parts of the lab activity. Gloves, lab
coats or aprons, and goggles are recommended.
• Thoroughly wash your hands and workspace before and after the lab.
!
Procedure:
1. Prepare the work area
a. Spray workspace with disinfectant. Wipe with clean paper towel and allow the surface to dry.
b. Lay out paper towels on which to place the 'contaminated' tools after they've been used.
c. Collect items needed for experiment.
d. Apply gloves
2. "Contaminate" Gloves
a. Put Glo-Germ™ powder on gloves and rub hands together, covering all sides of the gloves and in-between fingers.
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