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 |
| MASTER LEVEL |
This extension activity checks for thoroughness of handwashing, using a child-safe, water-based paint.
Video time: 11m30s; Activity time: included; Adult assistance time: 11m30s min.
BEFORE RUNNING THIS VIDEO
- Gather the equipment and supplies needed (listed below)
- Print the printable materials (available below)
EQUIPMENT AND SUPPLIES NEEDED
- Child-safe water-soluble paint (preferably acrylic)
Hand soap
Access to a sink
A safe location to place whatever computer, tablet, or phone is being used to view the video while washing hands.
PRINTABLE MATERIALS (Download and Print)
Diagram of NHS or WHO Steps for Handwashing (pdf; 250kb)
-- Contains:
• Numbered steps and diagram of NHS hand-washing process
VIDEO
OUTLINE OF ACTIVITY
The instructions in this outline are also included in the video for this activity.
This is a fun extension activity, in three parts. All you need is a bit of dark-colored paint (acrylic is excellent; other child-safe, water-based children's paints might also work well).
– STEP 1: Working over a kitchen sink, take a small amount of the paint (approximately 1 tspn), and place it in your palm; pretend that the paint is soap, and 'wash' your hands until they are completely 'clean' (covered in paint) – we recommend following the WHO-recommended steps for hand-washing (the yare shown in the downloadable PDF for this lesson).
– STEP 2: Using REAL soap and water, now wash your hands until they are truly clean -- again, we recommend using the WHO-recommended steps for hand-washing. Did you miss anything? Fingernails? Cuticles? What will you have to do to get your hands COMPLETELY clean?
– STEP 3: After cleaning your hands, look around — what did you touch while your hands still had paint on them? Did any paint spatter anywhere? Around the sink? On a sponge? On the soap dispenser? On the faucet handle? Take some disposable paper towels, and try to clean up every little bit of paint! Then throw away the paper towels, being sure not to get paint anywhere else!