Lesson Idea

Teaching Activities about Microbiology

This collection highlights teaching activities, hands-on lessons, and online simulations we found on the web that can help students learn about microbiology. They are created by science educators and partner education organizations. Just as all our original content is free, we only recommend external resources that are free for teachers. If you find any issues with these resources, please let us know by emailing: editor @ sciencejournalforkids.org

1. Catalase Enzyme Lab

This activity is offered by the blog Science Lessons That Rock, authored by veteran science educator Becca based in Arizona. In this activity, students use potato puree and additives to observe the impacts of temperature and pH on enzyme efficiency.

Image from Science Lessons That Rock

Activity: web page
Topic: biochemistry, catalase, enzymes
Level: middle school, high school

2. Human Microbiome Activities

This set of activities is offered by the Genetic Science Learning Center at the University of Utah. This set includes four activities: three paper-based learning games about the microbiome and symbiosis, and a culture lab for students to create microbes.

Image from GSLC

Collection: web page
Topic: microbial cultures, human body, microbiome, symbiosis
Level: high school

3. Termite Digestion Video

This activity is offered by BioInteractive, part of the Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI). A feature video about termites’ digestion shows how they benefit from microbes. The video is accompanied by a student handout and educator materials providing pause-points and extensions.

Image from HHMI

Activity: web page
Topic: bacteria, digestion, mutualism, protist, symbiosis, termite, zoology
Level: high school

4. Grow Microbes Lab

This activity is offered by Teach Engineering, an online curriculum library that highlights engineering design and design thinking in its STEM teaching resources. In this activity students grow their own bacteria. The lesson plan includes detailed instructions plus pre- and post-lab surveys and a student worksheet for further extension.

Image from Teach Engineering

Activity: web page
Topic: bacteria, DNA, lab cultures
Level: middle school

5. Virus Detection Modeling

This activity is offered by the Genetic Science Learning Center at the University of Utah. In this activity, students will create Styrofoam and paper models to examine how viruses detect and enter cells.

Image from GSLC

Activity: PDF
Topic: vectors, viruses, gene therapy
Level: elementary school, middle school

6. Stem Cells Activities

This set of activities is offered by EuroStem Cell, an educational resource supported by a partnership of stem cell and regenerative medicine labs across Europe. There is an introduction to stem cells plus two .pdf collections of activities specific to students ages 11-15 years, and 16+ years. In these activities, students will learn about stem cells through slides, discussion cards, worksheets and puzzles.

Image from EuroStem Cell

Collection: web page, middle school/lower high school (PDF), high school (PDF)
Topic: stem cells
Level: middle school, high school

That’s Not All!

Check out our full collections of adapted research articles on Microbiology and Stem Cells. Each article comes with tailored teaching resources, lessons, labs, and other activities for your students.