This February, in their Immunology unit, Living Environment students took on a captivating scientific exploration. They collected bacterial samples from diverse locations within the school building. Following the steps of the scientific method, they used a control sample, formulated hypotheses regarding bacterial growth, and provided reasoned explanations to support their hypotheses. While allowing the samples a week to incubate, students diligently monitored their progression, comparing the outcomes to their initial hypotheses.
The findings were striking. Contrary to expectations, minimal bacterial growth was detected on commonplace surfaces such as the front of an iPhone and the stairway handrail. Furthermore, students were astonished by the differences in bacterial colonization observed between the floors of the girls’ and boys’ bathrooms.
The janitorial staff at Green Island UFSD prioritizes cleanliness and disinfection. The students’ experiment not only captivated their scientific curiosity but also shows that the measures implemented by the janitorial team make a huge difference in the health and wellness of our school community!
