KS3: Useful Microbes
In this lesson, students learn that microbes can be useful, experimenting with Lactobacillus and Streptococcus to make their own yoghurt.
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Learning objectives
- Understand the beneficial roles of microbes, including how bacterial colonisation supports a healthy body and the importance of protecting our natural microbial flora.
Background Information
Bacteria are single-celled organisms and although some of these cause illness and disease, others are helpful and useful. One of the main ways in which bacteria are beneficial is in the food industry. The natural by products created during normal microbial growth are used to make many of the food products we eat everyday.
Fermentation causes a chemical change in foodstuffs. It is a process by which the bacteria break down the complex sugars into simple compounds like carbon dioxide and alcohol. Fermentation changes the product from one food to another.
In this lesson plan, students learn how fermentation microbes are used to create food products and the conditions they need to grow and multiply quickly.
Activities
Main activity:- Yoghurt Experiment
- Microscopic Yoghurt
- Food Production Poster
Curriculum links
Curriculum Key Elements
- Personal Health and Moral Character
Curriculum Skills
- Communication
- Managing Information
- Thinking
- Problem Solving and Decision-Making
- Working with others
Curriculum Areas of Learning
- Learning for Life and Work (Personal Development: Personal Health)
- Science and Technology (Science: Organisms and Health)