Bacteria! It’s Everywhere!
By playing the role of biochemical engineers, students investigate what causes them to become sick during the school year. Students use the engineering design process to test the classroom lab spaces for bacteria. After their tests, they develop ideas to control the spread of germs within the classroom. Finally, students develop a protocol to keep the spread of germs to a minimum for the school year.
Creating “germs” in the classroom!Copyright 2019 Jennifer N. Davis, University of Florida MRET
Engineers solve problems. Biochemical engineers study the growth of different types of bacteria to determine their optimal growth environment. Using this data, biochemical engineers can employ the engineering design process to develop ideas to combat the germ growth. Biochemical engineers may also research and design methods to determine bacterial resistance to the methods used to combat them. When germs become resistant to current protocols, they can be a detriment to humans. Biochemical engineers design cleaners, medicines, and systems to fight against germs.
After this activity, students should be able to:
- Make observations of the natural world and know that they are descriptors collected using the five senses.
- Keep records as appropriate -- such as pictorial records -- of investigations conducted.
- Observe and create a visual representation of an object, which includes its major features.
- Sort objects by observable properties, such as size, shape, color, temperature (hot or cold), weight (heavy or light) and texture.
- Follow agreed-upon rules for discussions (e.g., listening to others and taking turns speaking about the topics and texts under discussion).
- Ask and answer questions in order to seek help, get information, or clarify something.