The Importance of Handwashing

At my middle school there are a few lab activities where hand washing is essential (those with strong acids, toxic chemicals or salmonella with the chicken wing dissection). Getting middle schoolers to wash their hands is not the easiest thing to do. That is why I like to do a demo that clearly illustrates the need.  All that is needed is Glo Germ, a blacklight, and some sort of stuffed object. 

Comments

[Natalie L.]

I am a current student studying secondary education in the biological sciences, and I am interested in science labs or activities that relate to everyday things, such as washing your hands. I have done this activity with grade school students before, and they were engaged and very interested in the activity. Did your middle school students seem to be interested in this activity, as well? It seems like this could work as a quick introductory activity to certain biological topics, such as microorganisms.

[anon]

I am an education major and I think that this is a really cool idea to get kids to actually wash their hands. I like how it infuses a little bit of chemistry with the basic skill of learning to properly wash your hands. I will definitely use this in later teaching to show the kids the importance of washing hands.

[Jordan]

I find this video rather illuminating on the importance of realizing whats on your hands. I find it rather scary knowing this all may go unnoticed without a black light for most students in class.