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Microbiology

Students will practice microbiological laboratory techniques to get up close to bacteria.

Who is it for: Key stage 4 and post-16
Duration: 2 hours
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Students looking through a microscope in schools' workshop.

Practice microbiological laboratory techniques to get up close to bacteria.

Students will use several methods to identify different bacteria. The first, aseptic techniques to pour and streak plates to grow bacterial colonies. They will also prepare slides with a gram stain to examine and identify bacteria under our research grade microscopes.

Students follow this by examining the effects of a range of antibiotics on a strain of bacteria and make recommendations for an effective treatment.

Curriculum links

Key stage 4 and post-16
Biology
  • KS4 Science - Cell Biology | Health, disease and Medicine Development | Working Scientifically
  • AS/A Level Biology - Cell Structure | Immunity and Infection | Communicable Diseases, Disease Prevention and the Immune System | Practical Skills in Biology

By the end of the workshops students will have discovered:

Microscope icon.

How to identify a range of bacteria under the microscope and in colonies.

Bacteria icon.

The effectiveness of different antibiotics on bacteria.

Syringe icon.

That through genetic engineering characteristics of bacteria can be changed to do useful jobs such as produce insulin for medical use. (syringe)

Petri dish icon.

How electrophoresis can be used to analyse DNA samples. (petri dish)

Dropper icon

How to carry out key microbiological techniques using specialist equipment including; micro-pipetting, aseptic techniques and transformation of bacteria.

School trip prices

We allow a ratio of 1 adult to every 5 children for most groups. Additional adults over this ratio will be charged. In the case of SEN groups, we may offer further free adult support on request – please contact us to discuss your requirements.

During winter months (from 9 November – 18 December), school science centre visits are combined with a skate on Life’s outdoor ice rink for the cost of £12 per child. See more about seasonal pricing. 

Teachers and adult helpers go FREE!
Workshop price
£11.95 per pupil
(min 12, max 24)
Science Centre visit add-on
£6.95 per pupil
FREE 15-minute careers workshop add-on

Optional add-on focused on STEM careers and designed to support Gatsby Benchmarks