In this experiment, students will evaluate the effectiveness of various hand sanitizers against bacteria. By applying sanitizers to contaminated surfaces, they will measure bacterial growth to determine the most effective product.
If different hand sanitizers are applied to bacteria, then some will be more effective than others at reducing bacterial growth.
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Prepare agar plates by labeling each with sanitizer type.
Collect bacteria sample using swabs from a surface (like a phone).
Spread bacteria evenly across each agar plate.
Apply different hand sanitizers to designated areas on each plate.
Include a control plate without sanitizer.
Incubate the plates for 24-48 hours at a warm temperature.
Observe and record the growth of bacteria around the sanitizer application sites.
Compare effectiveness between different sanitizers.
Document and analyze results in your notebook.
Prepare a presentation discussing the findings.
It is expected that some hand sanitizers will show significant inhibition of bacterial growth compared to the control, confirming the hypothesis about their effectiveness.
type of hand sanitizer used
amount of bacterial growth on agar plates
amount of bacteria applied, incubation conditions, type of agar
Use gloves when handling bacteria and sanitizers. Follow safe laboratory practices.
Create visuals showing bacterial growth results.
Discuss the science behind how sanitizers kill bacteria.
Engage the audience with questions about their sanitizer choices.
Include a demonstration if possible.
Practice explaining your methodology clearly.
Use safe bacteria cultures appropriate for experiments.
Standardize the amount of bacteria and sanitizer used.
Check the incubation conditions and ensure bacteria were collected properly.
