Bacterial Water Quality Testing: A Rising Tide Project for Grades 9 and 10
Teachers' Guide
Main

Objectives

Standards Addressed Biology I Standards
Physical Science Standards

Introduction and Background

Methods Safety            Sample Collection Sample Preservation & Storage  Bacterial Analysis  Calculations

Classroom Activity
Geographic Sources
Effects of Stormwater
Effects of Temperature
Effects of Sunlight
Effects of Salinity
Effects of Soil             Effects of Time

Resources and Links

Teacher Guide

Glossary

This activity should be graded in several parts such as listed below..

SAMPLING  100 pts.

1. _____  Student properly mounted sample container on sampling pole.

2. _____ Student submerged sample bottle and took sample in a sterile fashion without taking any extraneous flora or fauna.

3. _____  There was no contamination due to touching of the lip of the bottle.

4. _____  The bottle was properly closed and stored on ice for transport to lab.

5. _____  Sample bottle was properly labeled.

 

Assembling of the laboratory apparatus  100 pts.

1. _____  Student properly assembled filtration flask and pump.

2. _____ Student properly prepared filter pad.

3. _____  Student properly labeled petri dish.

4. _____  Student checked that incubator was at correct temperature.

5. _____  Student sterilized forceps.


Water sample analysis 100 pts.

1. _____  Student properly filtered sample and recorded sample volume on data sheet.

2. _____ Student properly transferred the filter to filter pad.

3. _____  Student incubated petri dish upside down at correct temperature for 18 to 24 hours.

4. _____  Student used microscope properly to count colonies.

5. _____  Student recorded colony counts properly on data sheet.


Final mathematical analysis and conclusions 100 pts.

1. _____  Student computed E. Coli concentration correctly.

2. _____ Student computed total coliform concentration correctly.

3. _____  Student averaged replicate results if replicate measurements were made.

4. _____  Student determined if the results exceeded state or federal water quality criteria.

5. _____  Student filled out all of the other information on the datasheet.

Note:  Further data interpretation including graphing and computation of percent differences depend on which of the research themes are selected as an educational activity.