Antiseptic/Disinfectant Lab Results

Yesterday, the students observed their plates from this lab. We did not get full lawn growth on any plate. I think next semester, we need to streak the plates in all four directions instead of just in two. This would assure better coverage of the plates with organisms and I will be sure that any results we get were a result of the work of the antiseptic/disinfectant, not just poor streaking techniques. However, we were able to see some definite zones of inhibition which they thought was really cool! We also combined all of our data in a large table on the front whiteboard in the lab, which made for some very interesting comparisons. Be sure to do that again next time. When we look at this data in class today, it will be a great time to discuss the difference between observation and inference to teach Nature of Science.