Date post: | 21-Jan-2015 |
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What areas of the school are the dirtiest?
Is the surface dangerous to students just because it is dirty?
How can we learn about bacteria in our environment?
Can we adequately clean surfaces to protect ourselves?
How does the environment at school affect the health of the students?
Dautie:
I decided to investigate the amount of bacteria present on the IUPUI campus due to personal
experience. In the fall of 2009, my then 4 year old daughter, contracted the H1N1 virus. She
became extremely sick, requiring hospitalization and IV fluids. She was sick nearly 10 days with it. I found it fascinating and scary that a virus that we have all been immunized against can
change and cause us to become so severely ill. More than likely, she contracted from touching or
coming into contact with a common surface. Due to this, I began to wonder what kinds of
germs are covering the surfaces we touch on a daily basis here on campus.
Brittany: I chose this group because I thought the project idea was
interesting. I wanted to find out where the most germs are on campus and
how reliable a popular cleaner is when its comes to killing bacteria.
Val: I originally did not want to work with germs. I was worried about getting ill and taking those germ
home to my family. I was inspired by the teams dedication and maturity
and decided to find my niche so that I could work with a professional and
organized group.
Michelle: I have a very strong interest in germs and illness. I guess since I have become a mother I am more
cautious of our surrounding and take additional, but necessary steps to try and prevent my family from getting
ill. I thought it would be interesting to see how dirty our surroundings really are. If we can grow something that
concerns the students to scare them a little bit, then maybe they will also take the necessary steps to prevent bacteria growth - resulting in, potentially saving
a life!
Course Goals
Richness- We chose our project based on what we thought would be interesting and what we had questions about. Throughout the final project we have used the investigative process. We are continuously asking questions and are finding that there isn’t always one correct answer and many of our questions can’t be answered.
Recursion- Our project has required us to take notes and document our thoughts, questions, and details of the project. We have used the inquiry process and examined our project at the macro and micro level.
Relations- The group project has required us to work and learn together. We each did our part and helped one another.
Rigor- This project has helped us to better understand that learning is on-going; that there are always more questions to answer and more to learn.
Getting Ready to Gather Germs
Our first day as a group we brainstormed all kinds of questions about germs, our second day we prepared to get our answers.
Before we could collect our samples of germs in the environment we needed to prepare our agar petri dishes.
Preparing the AGAR
Materials: Microwave, microwaveable container, water, agar powder, plastic wrap, stir stick, 20 petri dishes, permanent marker, tape.
Procedure:
1. Place agar powder into microwaveable container and add 2.5 cups or 600ml water, stir.
2. Microwave 2 minutes, stir, and continue microwaving at 1 minute intervals and stirring until agar is completely dissolved.
3. Cover and cool 3-5 minutes.
1. Lift lid off petri dish.
2. Pour 1/8 to ¼ inch into dish.
3. Immediately replace lid and tape.
4. Allow to cool 30 min.
5. Place in refrigerator until ready to use.
Plan of attack
Investigate campus locations that have an increased amount of student activity, take samples.
Bathroom stall
interior lock
Fountain Elevator buttons
Table top
Library work-station
Revolving door
JagTag condiment
table
Vending machines
Door Handle
Shoe bottom
Supplies: 20 moist swabs, 20 Ziploc baggies, 10 Clorox disinfecting wipes, permanent marker.
Locations:
Swab dirty surface with moist swab and place in labeled Ziploc bag.
Clean area and allow to dry for 30 seconds.
Swab area again with clean, moist swab and place in labeled Ziploc bag.
Remove lid from labeled petri dish and swab in 4 quadrants, immediately
replace lid and seal with tape.
What are we observing?
We are observing the characteristics of the sample.
Basically, what can we see on the macro and micro levels.
Form
Elevation
Margin (Edge)
Surface
Opacity
Color
There are 3 additional characteristics that can only be examined in a supervised laboratory setting: consistency, emulsifiability, and odor.
Form - What is the basic shape of the colony?
Chromogenesis (color) - For example, white, buff, red, purple, etc.
Surface - How does the surface of the colony appear?
Margin - What is the magnified shape of the edge of the colony?
Elevation - What is the cross sectional shape of the colony? Turn the Petri dish on end.
Opacity - For example, transparent (clear), opaque, translucent (almost clear, like looking through frosted glass), iridescent.
School of Education Women’s 1st Floor Bathroom Door Lock Inside Stall
Dirty Sample Clean Sample
School of Education Water Fountain Near Restroom on 1st Floor
Dirty Sample Clean Sample
School of Education Elevator Buttons
Dirty Sample Clean Sample
School of Social Work Common Eating Area
Dirty Sample Clean Sample
University Library 4th Floor Computer Work Station
Dirty Sample Clean Sample
University Library Revolving Door (Handle and Glass)
Dirty Sample Clean Sample
Jag Connection Condiment Area
Dirty Sample Clean Sample
School of Social Work Large Vending Area
Dirty Sample Clean Sample
School of Business Stairway Door Handle
Dirty Sample Clean Sample
The Bottom of a Group Member’s Shoe
Dirty Sample Clean Sample
Comparison of Colony Observation
0
20
40
60
80
100
120
140
160
Dirty
Clean
Effectiveness of Cleaning Agent
80%
20%
Decrease in Growth After Cleaning
Decreased
Same or Increased
Decrease in Growth
60%
40%
More Than 50% Decrease in Growth
decreased growth byhalf
less than 50%decrease in growth
1 Observation Sheet for each group member
4 Petri dishes
1 hand lens for each group
member
Characteristics Sheet
Materials!!!
Activity Questions
1. Look over the handout 2. What do you observe in the
petri dishes? 3. Where were the samples
taken? What kinds of surfaces?
4. Are those areas places that you frequent?
5. What could you do to the environment to make it safer? Yourself?
6. What else do you want to know about GERMS?
Cleaner was
effective Bathroom
Elevator
Table Revolving doors
Jag Tag table
Door handle
Cleaner was
ineffective
Fountain
Library keyboard
Vending machines
Shoe
Cleaner was effective
•Bathroom
•Elevator
•Table
•Revolving doors
•Jag Tag table
•Door handle
Surfaces
•Stainless Steel
•Plastic
•Formica
•Glass
•Laminate
•Few crevices
We understand now that if the cleaner is diluted or not used as intended it will not effectively clean the surface. Now we wonder, what if we used a cleaner that was an aerosol or scrubbed the porous dirty surfaces?
Cleaner was ineffective when label wasn’t followed.
Fountain: the surface was
wet with many crevices.
Library keyboard: Many
crevices and I was afraid to get the cleaner in the electronics.
Vending machines: So
many crevices that couldn’t be reached with a wipe.
Shoe: So many crevices that
couldn’t be reached with a wipe and so dirty.
Cleaning Conclusions
Use cleaning products according to label for best results.
Avoid areas that are visibly dirty and difficult to clean thoroughly.
Interview with Dr. Anderson IUPUI Biology Department
What We Found Out!
We had hoped to answer some of our questions about the types of bacteria that are growing. Unfortunately the biology dept. does not have the resources to conclude what we have growing in our petri dishes.
Dr. Anderson was able to explain:
-we were not growing any viruses, only bacteria and fungi.
-some are always harmful to your body- like strep and meningitis.
-most bacteria are not harmful unless we are exposed to them in large amounts.
How It Affects You!
Common Infections Clorox Wipes Kill: Found on Campus: -Cold/flu - Staph infection -Strep throat - Strep throat -Meningitis - Cold/flu virus -Mono - Salmonella - E. Coli - Meningitis
Many of the bacteria and viruses can lead to other illnesses like food poisoning, pneumonia, bronchitis, and many types of infections, including fungal infections. Taking a daily vitamin can boost your immune system and help you stay healthy! Using Clorox disinfecting wipes is just one way to reduce contact with bad germs! Can you think of others?
Campus/Illness Facts
Schools are an excellent breeding ground for bacteria/diseases.
Lack of sleep during “crunch time” can bring your immune system down.
The two most Common Bacteria found on campuses are meningitis, and strep throat.
Meningitis Symptoms include fever, nausea, vomiting, headache, sensitivity to light, nasal congestion and a
stiff neck. Meningitis is often confused with a less serious illness such as a cold or the flu.
Strep Throat Symptoms include difficulty swallowing, red or white spots in the throat, swollen or sore
glands, fever, rash and digestive pain or discomfort.
Meningitis and Strep bacteria
What is the # 1 thing you can do to prevent the spread of these germs?
Hand Washing: It’s easy to do and it's one of the most effective ways
to prevent the spread of many types of illnesses. Clean hands can stop germs from spreading from one
person to another.
Did you know? Most people do not wash their hands correctly or long enough.
Start NOW!!
20 seconds should be the amount of time
for hand washing! Next time you wash your hands count and see if you pass the test! Tip: Sing the ABC song or Happy Birthday for the duration of hand washing!
1. Use plenty of
anti-bacterial soap
2. Use running water
3. Dry hands thoroughly.
Fact from CDC
If you start washing your
hands correctly for 20 seconds or more this could save up to 1 million lives
per year!
www.cdc.gov
When should you wash your hands?
preparing food
Before eating
After using the bathroom
After changing diapers
Before and after caring for someone who is sick
After blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing
After touching an animal
After touching garbage
Before and after treating a cut or wound
Use disinfectants
or cleaners on backpacks, bottom of
shoes, writing utensils,
laptops, and eating areas.
Use hand sanitizer
(containing more that
6% alcohol) if soap and water is not available.
Stay away from sick
people.
Get Vaccinated (meningitis vaccine recommended for college students)
Get plenty of rest
(8 hrs. or more per
night)
Do not share eating
utensils.
Cough and sneeze
into your elbow, not
your hands
More….. Preventative measures
Resources: Thiel, T. (1999). Streaking microbial cultures on agar plates. Science in the Real World: Microbes in Action, Retrieved from http://www.umsl.edu/~microbes/techniques.html Thiel, T. (1999). Tips for pouring and storing agar plates. Science in the Real World: Microbes in Action, Retrieved from http://www.umsl.edu/~microbes/techniques.html Liu, S. (2005). Interpreting plates. Science Buddies, Retrieved from http://www.sciencebuddies.org/science-fair-projects/project_ideas/MicroBio_Interpreting_Plates.shtml Clorox. Clorox disinfecting wipes. (2011, April 27). Retrieved from http://www.clorox.com/products/clorox-disinfecting-wipes/faq/ Wash your hands. (2011, April 27). Retrieved from http://www.cdc.gov/Features/HandWashing/ Biology & nature. (2011, April 27). Retrieved from http://www.sciencebobstore.com/