Student Activities
Activity I
Once students have a basic understanding of viruses, bacteria, and generally what germs are and do to their bodies, they will then take part in a Glo germ lab. This lab demonstration shows students the difference between using antibacterial soap and thoroughly washing your hands with soap and water.
All students apply the Glo germ lotion on their hands thoroughly. Then show the students their hands under a black light. The lotion is fluorescent, and glows on areas of the skin to simulate the presence of germs. You then divide the class in half. Half of the students will go thoroughly wash their hands with soap and warm water, while the other half apply a pump of antibacterial lotion onto their hands. Once students have finished with this you will then show them their hands under the black light again. The idea is that the students who used the antibacterial lotion have just spread the glowing lotion around their hands, while the students who thoroughly washed their hands, have washed all the germs off, and therefore the lotion no longer glows.
In this lab, you are using the lotion to simulate the presence of tiny particles such as germs, except that these tiny particles can be seen under the black light. Our skin keeps the microorganisms from getting into our bodies. Germs get into our bodies through cracks and cuts in our skin, so it is important to keep clean to stay healthy.
Activity II
In a culminating activity students express what they learned through a series of public service announcement posters to display in the classroom and throughout the school. Students are instructed to construct a poster on a series of topics such as; showing how germs attack our cells, showing how germs spread, and preventing germs. This activity allows the students to express their knowledge of the content they learned through drawing and writing. The students are able to present their posters to the class and decide where to hang them in the classroom or hallway.
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