Curated OER
Producing a Strain of E. coli that Glows in the Dark
Students observe the experimental process called bacterial transformation and demonstrate phenotype changes in bacteria that have been transformed with an antibiotic-resistance gene and a metabolic marker. They create a luminescent...
Nemours KidsHealth
Food Safety: Grades 9-12
Food poisoning, salmonellosis, E. Coli, shigellosis, tapeworms—all these words can strike fear into eaters. Alas, the five-second rule is not necessarily true! Two activities teach teens safety rules for food purchasing, preparation,...
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Microbe Multiplication Magic
A lesson introduces the reproduction rate of E. coli though a video. Then scholars complete a data table and graph of reproduction rates in ideal conditions as well as less than ideal conditions.
Curated OER
Viewing Bacteria
Have you ever wanted to know the true structure of E.coli? Does the thought of peering into its "small world" sound exciting? Here is a lesson that allows pupils the ability to do just that. Blossoming microbiologists use microscopes to...
Curated OER
Bacterial Transformation: Laboratory Experiment
Students participate in a group lab in which they complete the process of bacterial transformation. If lab procedures are followed correctly, Students see their results in a few days...bacteria glowing green.
Curated OER
The Bacteria Time Bomb in your Home
Students read an article that explains the dangers of household bacteria. In this lesson, students explore items in a home that easily hold bacteria, then complete several activities to reinforce comprehension of the article.
Curated OER
Challenges of Sampling
In this sampling worksheet, students try different sampling methods to determine which is the best for determining contamination on a substance. This worksheet has 5 short answer questions.
Curated OER
Sociobiology: Heredity Factors
Students examine DNA replication and how proteins are synthesized from DNA codes and continue to explore the effects of genetics in additional lessons. Among the topics covered are: protein synthesis, cell chemistry, environmental...
Curated OER
E. coli and Their Human Environment
High schoolers are able to observe how environmental changes (antibiotics) affect the growth of E. coli. They are able to use the "F" test for statistical analysis. Students can explain that E. coli is a common rod-shaped intestinal...
Curated OER
Viewing Bateria
Students use microscopes to observe E. coli bacateria on prepared slides and in a live culture. They use micro-slide viewers to observe the shapes of various bacteria and the structures within the bacterial cell. Students make an...
Curated OER
Mutations--Preexisting or Acquired?
Students explore the reasoning and experimental approaches to mutations. They expose a culture of E. coli to virulent bacteriophage and observe whether mutations of the cells existed previously or if the bacteria mutated as a response...
Curated OER
How Clean Is Our Water?
Students examine samples of water to determine its cleanliness. They visit a waste treatment plant and/or reservoir. Students explore what protects the water supply from contamination by chemical or organize pollution. They trace the...
Curated OER
Teaching Biotechnology With Models
Students are introduced to biotechnology by using models. The teacher uses A Sourcebook of Biotechnology Activities, Rasmussen and Matheson project co directors. One of the activities in the book is: students use a scale models to very...
Curated OER
Antibiotic Resistance in E. coli
Pupils discuss the antibiotic resistance of bacteria. They design an experiment to test the resistance of different strands of E. coli. They answer discussion questions to end the lesson.
Curated OER
Transformation of E. coli with Antibiotic Resistance
Pupils participate in an experiment in which they transform an E. coli cell. They discover how the genetic make-up of the cell can be changed by added foreign DNA. They answer questions to complete the lab.
Michigan State University
Michigan State University: Digital Learning Center for Microbial Ecology: Microbe Zoo: Poo Corner
A light-hearted and informative section about the role of microorganisms in decomposing human waste. It has a colorful, clickable graphic aiding in navigation of the site. Fun and informative.
Science Buddies
Science Buddies: Project Ideas: Is the Gold in My Jewelry Real?
In this science fair project, determine if the oligodynamic effect of gold on bacteria is strong enough to differentiate between jewelry of different karats. The Science Buddies project ideas are set up consistently beginning with an...
Science Buddies
Science Buddies: Worm Hunt: Isolating Soil Nematodes From Your Backyard
Nematodes, also called roundworms, are the most abundant animal on Earth and can be found in your back yard, playgrounds, and many other places. This lab involves isolating nematodes from several soil samples to discover the best...
Other
Museum of Health Care: Death in a Glass
Students can learn all about water pathogens in this online exhibit. They'll explore what kinds of micro-organisms infect water, how a water supply can get contaminated, how it is protected, and how officials investigate cases of...
Other
Museum of Health Care: Death in a Glass: The Case of Walkerton, Ontario
In 2000, Walkerton's water became infected with E. coli and many residents fell ill. This exhibit describes how public health officials handled the outbreak and investigation. The case made the public far more aware of issues around...
Other
Nsf International: Nsf Scrub Club
Keep yourself clean, kill bacteria, and stay healthy all year long by washing your hands (and under your fingernails) with warm soapy water. Play the "6 Steps Game" to learn how to properly clean your hands, meet the "villains" that...
TeachEngineering
Teach Engineering: Save a Life, Clean Some Water!
Student teams practice water quality analysis through turbidity measurement and coliform bacteria counts. They use information about water treatment processes to design prototype small-scale water treatment systems and test the influent...
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Centers for Disease Control: e.coli
Answers to the most frequently asked questions about E.coli.
TeachEngineering
Teach Engineering: Who's Hitchhiking in Your Food?
How can you tell if harmful bacteria are growing in your food? Students learn to culture bacteria in order to examine ground meat and bagged salad samples, looking for common foodborne bacteria such as E. coli or salmonella. After 2-7...