Zoom into Microbiology Kit Rental: Zoom Into Microbiology grades 6-8

• Before you receive the kit, review the Educator's Guide and Glossary to prepare for your students
• Read the Essential Questions (p. 1) and Connections to Standards (p. 2) to decide how you want to link your curriculum with your kit usage
• Complete the Pre-Kit Lesson with your class activating student interest and engagement
• Create and place students in groups that will encourage their best work
• Have your pre-kit call with a science specialist at ESC

The study of life is much more than what meets the eye. Throughout history, scientists have tried to discover this unseen world. From early inventions such as lenses in tubes through the advancement of the modern day microscope, scientists have used the field of microscopy to discover what cannot be seen otherwise. Studying the microcosm hidden all around us unveils expressions in the natural world. In microbiology, scientists look at parts of a cell, how cells interact and what they can tell us about our own development. Microbiology looks at everyday aspects of our lives such as food, clothing, shelter and a hygienic lifestyle.  Microscopy also helps us learn about diseases and to develop strategies to repair our bodies through cell research. Microscopes vary from the simple to the complex allowing users to view microorganisms, protists, cells, and things on the nano scale!

Access these free ebooks by signing in to the Sora app with your NYC DOE credentials.

This kit includes microscopes, slides, pond water, books and other equipment to run a microbiology lab to learn the functions of a microscope, and observe animal tissue and live protist.              

• Inspect kit using the unpacking list and check for any missing or damage items
• Place students in 8 groups to ensure each group has a microscope and slide set to work with
• Review microscope parts, functions and proper usage with students
• Keep each slide sets in order from 1-22
• When packing kit for return use and check off the packing list provided

• A dollar bill can have 3000 types of bacteria.

• Most antibodies are made from bacteria. A clean mouth has between 1000 and 100,000 bacteria on each tooth.

• A bacteria called actinomycetes contributes to the 'smell of rain' A particular odor (the earthy smell after rain) is released by the actinomycetes just before the rain as the soil becomes damp. It is a byproduct called geosmin.

• Chocolate has an antibacterial effect on the mouth and protects against tooth decay. Dark chocolate has flavonoids with are shown to fight tooth decay. It also has antioxidants, which in larger amounts (in your saliva) can help fight gum disease.