Amazing Science VIDEO LESSON — Handwashing SCIENCE

Touching on the human microbiome and the world of microbes, this video lesson examines the science of handwashing. It includes hands-on activities that promote good handwashing techniques, using supplies commonly found in a typical home.

AT-HOME VERSION CLASSROOM VERSION

 

Video time: 16m40s; Activity time: 20-30 min; Adult assistance time: 5-10 min.

BEFORE RUNNING THIS VIDEO

  1. Gather the equipment and supplies needed (listed below)
  2. Print the printable materials (available below)

 

EQUIPMENT AND SUPPLIES NEEDED

  • One plate
  • Two small bowls

  • Vegetable oil (or butter, or margarine)
  • Small wedge of fruit (any kind: apple, banana, orange, etc.; or fruit juice; or fruit preserves, jam, etc.)
  • Peanut Butter (if your student has a nut allergy, consider some other substance: e.g. butter or margerine, if not already used)
  • Access to Dirt (garden dirt; any dirt)


Hand sanitizer (or isopropyl alcohol; or a small amount of water, with no soap)
Hand soap (or dishwashing soap)

Access to a sink

Activities Area

 

Small area on a kitchen-countertop, next to a sink.

Activities Set-Up
Handwashing_Setup

 

PRINTABLE MATERIALS (Download and Print)

DOWNLOADABLE PDF (pdf; 434kb) -- Contains:

• List of items needed (with set-up diagram)
• List of Tests; with simple steps for each test

• Numbered steps and diagram of WHO hand-washing process

 

VIDEO

 

EXTENSION ACTIVITIES (OPTIONAL)

• Printable Hand-Washing Word-Search (PDF; 52kb)

• Try the same hand-washing experiments with DIFFERENT soaps! Do you have any guesses about which soap will work best; why do you think that? Which soap worked best, after testing? Consider trying each soap 2-3 times; are the results consistent?

• Handwashing Science 'Master Level' (Amazing Science extension activity — separate webpage)