Microbiology Lesson Plan

by Megin Rice

12/11/04

 

Objectives:

*Learn aseptic technique & the importance of it

*Become familiar w/ media plates & general microbiology techniques

*Understand how to gram stain & its significance

*Demonstrate the ubiquitous nature of bacteria

*Understand the benefits and dangers of bacteria

*Understand the importance of microorganism in everyday life

*Be able to write hypotheses and design a controlled experiment to test them

 

Materials: glo-germ kit, sterile petri dishes, nutrient agar, incubator, gram stain kit, sterile cotton swabs, selection of anti-microbial substances

 

State Standards:

11.A.5b - Design procedures to test the selected hypotheses.

11.A.5c - Conduct systematic controlled experiments to test the selected     hypotheses.

12.B.4a - Compare physical, ecological and behavioral factors that          influence interactions and interdependence of organisms.

12.B.5b - Compare and predict how life forms can adapt to changes in the

         environment by applying concepts of change and constancy.

13.A.5a - Design procedures and policies to eliminate or reduce risk in      potentially hazardous science activities.

 

Activities:

Day #1 -

-Give students pre-test

-Discuss & demonstrate aseptic techniques

-Perform Glo-Germ activity for hand washing & area cleaning

-Hand out scoring rubric for class presentations

 

Day #2

-Research on bacterial species

-Each pair of students is to do a CREATIVE presentation including one harmful and one beneficial bacteria species. It may be done in any creative way, such as a game, simulated talk show interviewing each species, play of person with split personality, etc.

 

Day #3

-Students will write hypotheses regarding various antibacterial products, such as hand gel, soaps, mouthwash, betadine, etc, and then design a controlled experiment to test their hypothesis

-Small group discussions to discuss their experimental design and get feedback from another group

-Plate samples from various areas around school, such as wrestling mats water fountains toilet handles door knobs bottom of shoe cafeteria counters

-Incubate overnight

 

Day #4

-Gram stain

-Research and work on projects

 

Day #5

-Discussion of antibiotic resistant microbes

-Finalize projects

 

Day #6

-Begin Presentation of projects

 

Assessment:

¥ A pre-test and post-test will be given (attached)

¥ The students' lab experiments will be graded with the attached rubric

¥ The students' class presentations will be graded with the attached rubric

 

 

Microbiology Pre and PostTest

 

1.      What is meant by the term ubiquitous and how does it relate to microbiology?

2.      If you are working in a lab with microorganisms, describe at least three aspects of aseptic technique you would use to maintain pure cultures?

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3.      Using the circle below and arrows, show how you would streak a plate to obtain isolated pure colonies.

 

4.      What is meant by gram straining and what is its significance?

5.      What is the difference in cell wall structure between gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria?

6.      List and discuss at least three bacteria that are pathogenic.

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7.      What types of microorganism would be likely choices for biological warfare and explain why?

8.      List and discuss at least four bacteria that are beneficial tp the everyday lives of humans.

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         2-

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         4-

9.      Bacteria are becoming more resistant to antibiotic treatment and, therefore, some infections in human have become very difficult to treat. Explain some of the factors that have contributed to this and what can be done about the problem.

10.    Do you think that the majority of bacteria are helpful or harmful? Give some examples and/or evidence to support your answer.