A firsthand look at water contamination by bacteria

Investigate the environmental issues caused by waterborne bacteria. Your class will test a variety of water samples they collect for possible contamination by coliform and other bacterial strains. They'll also perform a total plate count of bacteria and observe bacterial smears under a microscope. Your students will:
• Understand the sources of bacterial contamination in water
• Collect water samples and inoculate agar plates
• Identify and count bacterial colonies
• Observe bacterial smears under the microscope
• Learn the effects of bacterial contamination of water on human health and ways to minimize the risk of contamination