Kids love learning about the world around them. If you want to bring science class home, consider teaching your little ones about microbiology. These three petri dish experiences are perfect for trying with your kids because they’re easy, fascinating, and fun. Let’s explore!
Cheek Swab Test
Our bodies are home to trillions of bacteria! This fact will wow your kids, and you can prove it with a simple cheek swab test. Round up these supplies:
- sterile cotton swabs
- a petri dish with nutrient agar (available online)
- gloves (to help your kids feel like real scientists)
Start by washing your hands and putting on gloves. These are important steps in properly handling petri dishes because they ensure the only contamination comes from what you apply to the agar.
Next, gently swab the inside of your child’s cheek using a clean cotton swab. Open the petri dish lid just enough to swipe the swab across the surface of the agar. Close the lid securely, label it, and set the dish in a warm spot, like a cupboard or above the fridge. Observe the dish after 24–48 hours to see what grows. This experiment shows kids how their bodies are bustling ecosystems of microbes!
Surfaces Around the Home
Are you always telling your kids not to touch things because they’re dirty and could make them sick? If they don’t seem to get the concept, this experiment can help. These are your supplies:
- petri dishes with nutrient agar
- sterile cotton swabs
- tape and marker for labeling
Ask your kids to choose several high-traffic surfaces to test (e.g., a kitchen counter, doorknob, phone screen, and the like). Once they choose, have them go around swabbing each surface. This step is great if your kids’ learning style is kinesthetic because it’s very hands-on. Once they gather the samples, have them swipe the swabs across the petri dishes’ agar. Label each dish with the surface name and tape the lid to prevent accidental opening. Place them in a warm environment and check after one to two days. Your kids will think it’s amazing (and shocking) to see how different surfaces produce different bacterial growth.
Hands-Off Air Inspection
This one’s easy! This hands-off experiment demonstrates how microorganisms are all around us, floating in the air. All you need are petri dishes with nutrient agar. Simply leave the dishes uncovered in different areas of the house for about 30 minutes. Cover the dishes back up, tape them shut, and label the locations. Colonies should grow over the next few days! This teaches kids that everything, including the air they breathe, is full of microscopic life.
Try these petri dish experiments with your kids to teach them about microbiology in an engaging, fascinating way. You might even inspire a passion for science!
Mom on the go in Holy Toledo 