KS3 Useful Microbes

This section highlights to students that not all microbes are harmful by examining beneficial microbes. This lesson aims to explore the various ways and means by which we utilise certain organisms for our benefit with examples from the food industry.

Last Updated October 5, 2020 Medium English Bacteria, Culture, Fermentation, Fungi, Micro-organism, Microbes, Microscope, Probiotic, Useful

Overview

What will you learn?

Through a yogurt making activity, students observe first-hand how microbes can be put to good use in the food industry, and learn that these microbes are beneficial to our gut, helping us digest.

Activities include:

Yogurt making activity, where students observe how microbes can be put to good use in the food industry.
Examining a yogurt culture under a microscope, observe the presence of useful bacteria and report on the findings.

Learning Objectives:

Understand that some microbes can keep us healthy.
Understand that some microbes can be put to good use.
Understand that we need bacterial colonisation to live a healthy life.
Understand that we need to protect our normal microbial flora.

Requirements:

Activity 1
Beaker
Cling film
Powdered milk
Whole milk
Live natural yogurt
Sterile spoon
Hot plate
Water bath 20°C
Water bath 40°C
Activity 2
Bunsen burner
Cover slips
Methylene blue
Microscope
Microscope slides
Sterile droppers

Curriculum Links:

Science: Working Scientifically, Experimental skills and investigations, Biology, Structure and function of living organisms, Material cycles and energy
Design & technology: Cooking and nutrition
RSHE: Health & Prevention

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Department for Education Recommendation

The Department for Education have listed e-Bug in their guidance for education and childcare during coronavirus. e-Bug resources are recommended for teaching Infection prevention and control topics, including hand and respiratory hygiene.

NICE Endorsement

The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) recommends that schools, educational and residential settings for children and young people, use Public Health England’s e-Bug resources to teach about hygiene, infections and antibiotics. e-Bug supports implementation of NICE guidance on antimicrobial stewardship: changing risk-related behaviours in the general population (NG63).

e-Bug is a free educational resource, operated by Public Health England, which contributes to the government’s ongoing action plan to tackle antimicrobial resistance. e-Bug resources make learning about microbes, antibiotics and the spread and treatment of infection, engaging and accessible.

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DISCLAIMER: e-Bug was developed for use in schools pre-COVID-19 and so some activities may require modification based on your school’s distancing guidelines.

Please use your judgement and tell us how you have modified the activities, or if you would like to discuss some ideas, contact
e-Bug@phe.gov.uk

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KS3 Useful Microbes

What will you learn?

Learning Objectives:

Requirements:

Curriculum Links:

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