Biofilms for Babies: Introducing Microbes and Biofilms to Preschool-Aged Children †
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Author:
Jillian M. Couto1
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Received 14 November 2016 Accepted 18 January 2017 Published 21 April 2017
- ©2017 Author(s). Published by the American Society for Microbiology.
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[open-access] This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/ and https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/legalcode), which grants the public the nonexclusive right to copy, distribute, or display the published work.
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†Supplemental materials available at http://asmscience.org/jmbe
- Corresponding author. Mailing address: University of Glasgow, School of Engineering, Infrastructure and Environment, Rankine Building, Level 5, Glasgow, G12 8LT, Scotland. Phone: +44(0) 141 330 6311. E-mail: [email protected].
Abstract:
Microbes are beneficial to life on our planet as they facilitate natural processes such as global nutrient cycling in our environment. This article details a 30-minute activity to introduce pre-school children ranging from 3 to 5 years of age to microbes and biofilms in the natural environment.
Key Concept Ranking
- Petri Dish
- 0.90696144
- Natural Environment
- 0.5697119
- Wastewater Treatment
- 0.45303604
- Biogeochemical Cycle
- 0.4247213
- Microbial Diversity
- 0.40693712
References & Citations
Supplemental Material
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Appendix 1: Sample slide show images and descriptions
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MyBook is a cheap paperback edition of the original book and will be sold at uniform, low price.
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Abstract:
Microbes are beneficial to life on our planet as they facilitate natural processes such as global nutrient cycling in our environment. This article details a 30-minute activity to introduce pre-school children ranging from 3 to 5 years of age to microbes and biofilms in the natural environment.

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Author and Article Information
-
Received 14 November 2016 Accepted 18 January 2017 Published 21 April 2017
- ©2017 Author(s). Published by the American Society for Microbiology.
-
[open-access] This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/ and https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/legalcode), which grants the public the nonexclusive right to copy, distribute, or display the published work.
-
†Supplemental materials available at http://asmscience.org/jmbe
- Corresponding author. Mailing address: University of Glasgow, School of Engineering, Infrastructure and Environment, Rankine Building, Level 5, Glasgow, G12 8LT, Scotland. Phone: +44(0) 141 330 6311. E-mail: [email protected].
Figures
The model microbes in various colors and shapes. A 30-cm ruler is included for scale.

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FIGURE 1
The model microbes in various colors and shapes. A 30-cm ruler is included for scale.
A sample petri dish (10-cm diameter) with model microbes embedded in agar that was used for sensory learning when opened, and as a ‘piece’ of model biofilm when sealed.

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FIGURE 2
A sample petri dish (10-cm diameter) with model microbes embedded in agar that was used for sensory learning when opened, and as a ‘piece’ of model biofilm when sealed.
Both panels show the model biofilm constructed by the children as part of the activity. Each petri dish was 10 cm in diameter. (A) The whole model was approximately 70 by 90 cm in size. (B) A close-up section of the picture in the first panel, offering a “zoomed” view of the model biofilm.

Click to view
FIGURE 3
Both panels show the model biofilm constructed by the children as part of the activity. Each petri dish was 10 cm in diameter. (A) The whole model was approximately 70 by 90 cm in size. (B) A close-up section of the picture in the first panel, offering a “zoomed” view of the model biofilm.