Unit: Biology
Lesson Title/Topic:Microbiology Saftey / Date: November 27, 2007
407 Lab Instructor: Pat Maldonado
Objectives
Students will be able to…Identify microbiology lab safety techniques and procedures.
Students will be able to…Perform microbiology labs while utilizing appropriate lab safety techniques.
Big Ideas
Microbiology labs are fun and useful for learning about the microorganisms that live in and around us, but there are certain procedures that need to be followed in order to protect ourselves and others during these labs. The safety procedures that need to be followed aren’t just for our safety but also for the safety of the microorganisms that we are trying to culture. It is important to keep each other safe during labs that involve microbiology because some substances that are used can harm us if they come into contact with our bodies in certain ways and some of the techniques we use to keep things sterile and clean can harm us as well. Bunsen burners and alcohol lamps can cause fires and burn students if handled improperly. Petri dishes that are dropped can break and cut students if they are glass. If bacteria isn’t handled safely it could cause illness depending on what the bacteria is and the bacteria could also not culture properly or grow other things that aren’t wanted such as molds.
EPE Table
Since this lesson is teaching skills and not content knowledge an EPE table isn’t applicable.
Relevance
Individual safety is important in all laboratories. If we keep ourselves safe then chances are that we are also keeping others safe that are around us in the lab. In order to enjoy microbiology labs are essential and labs cannot be done if students do not know how to do them properly and in a manner that keeps them and other safe. If students know how to work safely they will most likely do so because no one wants to get hurt during a lab. If someone does get hurt though the students will know what to do.
Standards addressed and expectations of students:
B1.1C Conduct scientific investigations using appropriate tools and techniques (e.g., selecting an instrument that measures the desired quantity—length, volume, weight, time interval, temperature—with the appropriate level of precision).
Materials/Equipment
- Computer
- Projector
- Powerpoint
- Alcohol Lamp
- Petri Dish
- Culture Loop/Hockey Stick
- Latex Gloves
- Matches
Activities (include minutes)
- Introduction to lab safety via power point (5 minutes)
- Demonstration of lab safety while inoculating Petri dishes (5 minutes)
- Review game which students participate in to see if they know correct safety procedures (5 minutes)
Assessment
The assessment for this lesson will be the review game at the end. Students will be questioned about lab safety and their answers will be used to gauge whether or not the material was understood. This is a skill that we will be using in the laboratory so assessment will also include watching the students during future labs to see if they are practicing proper safety procedures during their labs.
Websites or Sources Used
Reflection