Each semester during the Taxonomy and Classification unit I have my students learn “What are the effects of Bacteria?” Keep reading for a creative way to get students intrigued to learn more about bacteria.
Bacteria Research Project
Towards the end of the semester, it is difficult to keep students’ interest so I try to get creative in my tactics. One activity I like to do is have them research a bacteria species. However, this is not a full-blown research project, but rather a fun and creative assignment.
I give my students the handout below after we have discussed bacteria and watched a few video clips. We learn about bacteria earlier in the semester during cells, but it comes back up in this unit because bacteria are a huge part of the kingdoms.
Students create a “Wanted” poster by researching what bacteria do to the human body, where can bacteria live, etc. It’s a take on criminal wanted posters that students really get into!
Microbial Research Topics
I give students a list of bacteria to research, but they are free to come up with one on the list as long as I approve it. Some of the microbial research topics included are Bacillus anthracis, Bordetella pertussis, and Clostridium botulinum just to name a few. There are 15 total bacteria on the list, but feel free to approve others.
What Are the Effects of Bacteria
My main goal in having students complete these posters is for them to gain some knowledge of how bacteria are involved in our everyday lives. Some can be helpful, while some can be harmful. It also reinforces the shape of the bacteria, and how they reproduce, as well as reviewing taxons such as genus and species. So not only is it a creative activity, but it also hits the high points of the content I want them to know.
This activity could be used in any unit regarding cells and/or bacteria. Snag your FREE COPY of this Bacteria Wanted Poster assignment and give it a try with your students!
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