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ERIC Number: EJ758566
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2004-Sep
Pages: 4
Abstractor: ERIC
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0036-8555
EISSN: N/A
Salty Microbiology
Schneegurt, Mark A.; Wedel, Adrianne N.; Pokorski, Edward W.
Science Teacher, v71 n7 p40-43 Sep 2004
Using microbiology activities in the classroom is an effective way for teachers to address National Standards in the life sciences. However, common microbiology activities that involve swabbing doorknobs and hands are too risky due to the likelihood of culturing human pathogens. In addition, making sterile media and maintaining sterile conditions can be difficult, and activities requiring aseptic techniques are particularly challenging for the lower grades. To address these problems, the authors have developed a microbiology system that focuses on a specialized class of microbes that can live under extreme hypersaline conditions. The high salt content of the media (20 percent or more) eliminates the need for sterilization and aseptic techniques, and rules out the possibility of culturing bacterial pathogens. The activity has been developed with the use of low-cost, common household materials. (Contains 1 figure.)
National Science Teachers Association. 1840 Wilson Boulevard, Arlington, VA 22201-3000. Tel: 800-722-6782; Fax: 703-243-3924; e-mail: membership@nsta.org; Web site: http://www.nsta.org
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Descriptive
Education Level: High Schools
Audience: Teachers
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A