Bacteria and the student environment at IUPUI.

4. What areas of the school are the
dirtiest?
Is the surface dangerous to students
just because it is dirty?
How can we learn about bacteria in
our environment?
Can we adequately clean surfaces to
protect ourselves?
How does the environment at school
affect the health of the students?

5. Dautie:
I decided to investigate the amount of bacteria
present on the IUPUI campus due to personal
experience. In the fall of I have a then 4strong interest
Michelle: 2009, my very year
old daughter, contracted the H1N1 virus.I She
in germs and illness. guess since I
Brittany: have become a mother toam
Val: I I sick, requiring not want I work
originally did hospitalization
became extremely chose this group because I more
and IV fluids. cautious of nearly worried with and take
with germs. I our surrounding
She was sick was 10 days about
thought the project idea was
it. I found it fascinating and taking those germ
getting wantedscary that a virus
interesting. I ill immunizedfind outcan
and to
additional, but necessary steps to try
that we have all been against where
the mosttous to family. sofamily from by
home and my become I was inspired
change and causegerms are my campus and getting
prevent on severely ill.
More than likely,teamspopular from and is interesting to
how reliable thought it cleaner maturity
the she a dedication touching or
ill. I contracted would be when
comingand decided to killing bacteria. thatreally
into contact with a commonniche so
its see howto findour surroundings I
comes dirty my surface.
Due to this, I are. If we can professional and that
could work with a what kinds of
began to wonder grow something
germs are covering the surfaces we touch on a
organized group.
daily basis here on students
concerns the campus. to scare them a
little bit, then maybe they will also take
the necessary steps to prevent bacteria
growth - resulting in, potentially saving
a life!

6. Course Goals
Richness- We chose our project based on what we
thought would be interesting and what we had questions
about. Throughout the final project we have used the
investigative process. We are continuously asking
questions and are finding that there isn’t always one
correct answer and many of our questions can’t be
answered.
Recursion- Our project has required us to take notes
and document our thoughts, questions, and details of the
project. We have used the inquiry process and examined
our project at the macro and micro level.
Relations- The group project has required us to work
and learn together. We each did our part and helped one
another.
Rigor- This project has helped us to better understand
that learning is on-going; that there are always more
questions to answer and more to learn.

8. Getting Ready to
Gather Germs
Our first day as a group
we brainstormed all
kinds of questions
about germs, our
second day we
prepared to get our
answers.
Before we could collect
our samples of germs in
the environment we
needed to prepare our
agar petri dishes.

9. Preparing the
AGAR
Materials: Microwave,
microwaveable container,
water, agar powder, plastic
wrap, stir stick, 20 petri
dishes, permanent marker,
tape.
Procedure:
1. Place agar powder into
microwaveable container
and add 2.5 cups or
600ml water, stir.
2. Microwave 2 minutes,
stir, and continue
microwaving at 1 minute
intervals and stirring
until agar is completely
dissolved.
3. Cover and cool 3-5
minutes.

10. 1. Lift lid off petri dish.
2. Pour 1/8 to ¼ inch
into dish.
3. Immediately replace
lid and tape.
4. Allow to cool 30 min.
5. Place in refrigerator
until ready to use.

11. Plan of attack
Investigate campus locations that have an increased
amount of student activity, take samples.
Supplies: 20 moist swabs, 20 Ziploc baggies, 10
Clorox disinfecting wipes, permanent marker.
Locations:
Bathroom
Library
stall Elevator Table work-
interior Fountain top
buttons station
lock
JagTag
Revolving Vending Door Shoe
condiment
door machines Handle bottom
table

12. Swab dirty surface with moist swab and
place in labeled Ziploc bag.
Clean area and allow to dry for 30
seconds.
Swab area again with clean, moist swab
and place in labeled Ziploc bag.
Remove lid from labeled petri dish and
swab in 4 quadrants, immediately
replace lid and seal with tape.

15. Form
Color Elevation
What are we
observing?
We are observing the
characteristics of the sample.
Basically, what can we see on the
macro and micro levels.
Opacity Margin
(Edge)
Surface

16. Form - What is the basic shape of the colony?
Elevation - What is the cross sectional shape of the
colony? Turn the Petri dish on end.
Margin - What is the magnified shape of the edge of the
colony?
Surface - How does the surface of the colony appear?
Opacity - For example, transparent (clear), opaque, translucent
(almost clear, like looking through frosted glass), iridescent.
Chromogenesis (color) - For example, white, buff, red,
purple, etc.
There are 3 additional characteristics that can only be examined
in a supervised laboratory setting: consistency, emulsifiability,
and odor.

18. School of Education Women’s 1st
Floor Bathroom Door Lock Inside
Stall
Dirty Sample Clean Sample

19. School of Education Water Fountain
Near Restroom on 1st Floor
Dirty Sample Clean Sample

20. School of Education Elevator Buttons
Dirty Sample Clean Sample

21. School of Social Work Common
Eating Area
Dirty Sample Clean Sample

22. University Library 4th Floor Computer
Work Station
Dirty Sample Clean Sample

23. University Library Revolving Door
(Handle and Glass)
Dirty Sample Clean Sample

24. Jag Connection Condiment Area
Dirty Sample Clean Sample

25. School of Social Work Large
Vending Area
Dirty Sample Clean Sample

26. School of Business Stairway
Door Handle
Dirty Sample Clean Sample

27. The Bottom of a Group
Member’s Shoe
Dirty Sample Clean Sample

28. Comparison of Colony
Observation
160
140
120
100
80
60 Dirty
40 Clean
20
0

29. Effectiveness of Cleaning Agent
Decrease in Growth After Cleaning
20%
80% Decreased
Same or Increased

30. Decrease in Growth
More Than 50% Decrease in Growth
decreased growth by
half
40%
60% less than 50%
decrease in growth

32. Materials!!!
1 Observation
Sheet for each 4 Petri dishes
group member
1 hand lens
for each Characteristics
group Sheet
member

33. Activity Questions
1. Look over the handout
2. What do you observe in the
petri dishes?
3. Where were the samples
taken? What kinds of
surfaces?
4. Are those areas places that
you frequent?
5. What could you do to the
environment to make it
safer? Yourself?
6. What else do you want to
know about GERMS?

34. Library Vending
keyboard machines
Fountain
Cleaner Shoe
was
ineffective
Table Revolving
doors
Elevator Jag Tag
table
Cleaner
Door
Bathroom was handle
effective

35. Cleaner was
Surfaces
effective
• Bathroom • Stainless
• Elevator Steel
• Table • Plastic
• Revolving • Formica
doors • Glass
• Jag Tag table • Laminate
• Door handle • Few crevices

36. Cleaner was ineffective We understand now
when label wasn’t that if the cleaner is
followed. diluted or not used as
intended it will not
effectively clean the
Fountain: the surface was surface.
wet with many crevices.
Library keyboard: Many
crevices and I was afraid to
get the cleaner in the
electronics.
Vending machines: So Now we wonder, what
many crevices that couldn’t be
reached with a wipe.
if we used a cleaner
that was an aerosol or
Shoe: So many crevices that scrubbed the porous
couldn’t be reached with a
wipe and so dirty. dirty surfaces?

37. Cleaning Conclusions
Use cleaning products according
to label for best results.
Avoid areas that are visibly
dirty and difficult to clean
thoroughly.

38. Interview with Dr. Anderson
IUPUI Biology Department
What We Found Out!
We had hoped to answer some of our questions about the
types of bacteria that are growing. Unfortunately the biology
dept. does not have the resources to conclude what we have
growing in our petri dishes.
Dr. Anderson was able to explain:
-we were not growing any viruses, only bacteria and fungi.
-some are always harmful to your body- like strep and
meningitis.
-most bacteria are not harmful unless we are exposed to them
in large amounts.

39. How It Affects You!
Many of the bacteria and viruses can lead to other
illnesses like food poisoning, pneumonia, bronchitis, and
many types of infections, including fungal infections.
Taking a daily vitamin can boost your immune system
and help you stay healthy!
Using Clorox disinfecting wipes is just one way to reduce
contact with bad germs! Can you think of others?
Common Infections Clorox Wipes Kill:
Found on Campus:
-Cold/flu - Staph infection
-Strep throat - Strep throat
-Meningitis - Cold/flu virus
-Mono - Salmonella
- E. Coli
- Meningitis

40. Campus/Illness Facts
Schools are an excellent breeding ground for
bacteria/diseases.
Lack of sleep during “crunch time” can bring your immune
system down.
The two most Common Bacteria found on campuses are
meningitis, and strep throat.
Meningitis Symptoms include fever, nausea, vomiting,
headache, sensitivity to light, nasal congestion and a
stiff neck. Meningitis is often confused with a less
serious illness such as a cold or the flu.
Strep Throat Symptoms include difficulty swallowing,
red or white spots in the throat, swollen or sore
glands, fever, rash and digestive pain or discomfort.

41. Meningitis and Strep bacteria

42. What is the # 1 thing you
can do to prevent the spread
of these germs?
Hand Washing:
It’s easy to do and it's one of the most effective ways
to prevent the spread of many types of illnesses.
Clean hands can stop germs from spreading from one
person to another.

43. Did you know?
Most people do not wash their hands correctly
or long enough.
1. Use
Start NOW!! plenty of 2. Use
3. Dry hands
anti-bacterial running
thoroughly.
soap water
20 seconds should be the amount of time
for hand washing! Next time you wash your
hands count and see if you pass the test!
Tip: Sing the ABC song or Happy Birthday for the
duration of hand washing!

44. Fact from CDC
If you start
washing your
hands correctly for
20 seconds or more
this could save up
to 1 million lives
per year!
www.cdc.gov

45. When should you wash your hands?
preparing food
Before eating
After using the bathroom
After changing diapers
Before and after caring for someone who is sick
After blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing
After touching an animal
After touching garbage
Before and after treating a cut or wound

46. More….. Preventative measures
Do not
Get plenty share
Use hand
Stay of rest eating
sanitizer utensils.
(containing away (8 hrs. or
more that from more per
6% alcohol) sick night)
if soap and people.
water is not
available. Cough and
sneeze
into your
Use elbow, not
disinfectants Get Vaccinated
your
or cleaners on (meningitis
hands
backpacks, vaccine
bottom of recommended
shoes, writing
utensils, for college
laptops, and students)
eating areas.

47. Resources:
Thiel, T. (1999). Streaking microbial cultures on agar plates.
Science in the Real World: Microbes in Action, Retrieved from
http://www.umsl.edu/~microbes/techniques.html
Thiel, T. (1999). Tips for pouring and storing agar plates. Science in
the Real World: Microbes in Action, Retrieved from
http://www.umsl.edu/~microbes/techniques.html
Liu, S. (2005). Interpreting plates. Science Buddies, Retrieved from
http://www.sciencebuddies.org/science-fair-
projects/project_ideas/MicroBio_Interpreting_Plates.shtml Clorox.
Clorox disinfecting wipes. (2011, April 27). Retrieved from
http://www.clorox.com/products/clorox-disinfecting-wipes/faq/
Wash your hands. (2011, April 27). Retrieved from
http://www.cdc.gov/Features/HandWashing/
Biology & nature. (2011, April 27). Retrieved from
http://www.sciencebobstore.com/