Petri Dish Research
1. Label the bottom of each petri dish with a wax marker before inoculating them and document dates and times.
2. Pour agar in a petri dish. Agar is a gelatinous substance used in cooking that also serves as a growth medium suitable for science experiments. Refrigerate petri dish upside.
3. Rub a sterile swab over the areas of door knobs, mouse of computers, cafeteria tables, and classroom desks to collect bacteria. Use a light touch, but make full contact with the surface.
4. Rub the swab containing sample onto the prepared agar and close the petri dish. Place petri dishes in an out-of-the way spot, out of direct light. It will take three to seven days for growth to appear.
5. Examine petri dishes as growth begins to appear. Bacteria
can easily be identified as small white and yellow spots that multiply quickly, and fungi as larger, colorful, furry areas. The more spots, the higher bacterial count. Sample Selection - Use a sterile swab to take samples from door knobs, mouse of computers, cafeteria tables, and classroom desks.
2. Pour agar in a petri dish. Agar is a gelatinous substance used in cooking that also serves as a growth medium suitable for science experiments. Refrigerate petri dish upside.
3. Rub a sterile swab over the areas of door knobs, mouse of computers, cafeteria tables, and classroom desks to collect bacteria. Use a light touch, but make full contact with the surface.
4. Rub the swab containing sample onto the prepared agar and close the petri dish. Place petri dishes in an out-of-the way spot, out of direct light. It will take three to seven days for growth to appear.
5. Examine petri dishes as growth begins to appear. Bacteria
can easily be identified as small white and yellow spots that multiply quickly, and fungi as larger, colorful, furry areas. The more spots, the higher bacterial count. Sample Selection - Use a sterile swab to take samples from door knobs, mouse of computers, cafeteria tables, and classroom desks.