Micro extensions
Teaching an introductory Microbiology course does not always afford much flexibility in curriculum content. However when we step back and look at the breath of topics covered in most general microbiology courses, There is always opportunity to extend a topic and delve into the material more deeply. My instructional approach is start wide in scope then go deep in understanding. This relies on the instructor to create opportunities where students can apply their thinking from lecture content.
Since my background and research is environmental applications, the last few weeks of our 16 week course results in squishing 5 chapters of disease examples in case studies into a synthesis or it allows some flexibility to cover environmental microbiology.
Spring 2025 - BIO205
Environmental Microbiology Samples
What we did
We tested various water samples from on campus drinking and tap water to home RO systems, Lake Havasu, and Colorado River water. The results were varied, surprising and some were clearly alarming to the students!
Materials: LaMotte Fecal Coliform testing kit with sample vial and standard growth media (broth or nutrient agar).
We used a UV lamp box to further confirm the positive samples for gas production. In addition to the standard out-of-the-box testing kit, some students streaked agar plates and observed colony growth from the samples. While this lab could be developed further with some connection to their drinking and recreational watershed, the results were sufficient to generate discussions and interest.
Future extensions might include having a certified local or state water testing facility technician come and speak to the lab students about standard microbiology tests.
Highly suggest this kit and the use of UV light for qualitative observations. Consider plating, counts and addition of spectrophotometry.
References