spreading infection

[Rita]

Hi All
Have been trying to find the prac on spreading infections or diseases using test tubes and (I think) phenolphthalein. Can anyone help me find the right thread please?
Rita

[nickyw]

Hi

I have attached the one I use. Hope it is helpful.

Disease Spread (2).doc

[Ian]

We have used the one in "Science Focus 4", (Unit 6.4, Prac 1, on page 210, called "Modelling the Transmission of Disease" Apparently it works very well. The teachers and kids love it.

Ian

[Ocean Breeze]

we dont have science focus. Anyone want to send the prac please?

[smiley]

I've used Nicky's prac - with outstanding success.

Then I follow it up with a bit of "Glitter-bug" which demonstrates transmission of germs through hand contact - i.e. hand to desk, or stair railing, not just hand to hand.

[noona]

Great Prac will use this one

[rae]

Does anyone have a copy of the Glitter-bug prac that Smiley is referring to? Would love a copy!!
Thanks

[ellice]

Where do you buy this thing called 'Glitter bug'?
Sounds like a cool experiment!
Ellice.

[Ian]

Where do you buy this thing called 'Glitter bug'?
Sounds like a cool experiment!
Ellice.

Google "Glitter Bug" and look for the dot net dot au.

I think the powder is what you are after. Not cheap!

Ian

[smiley]

Hey Guys,

Glitterbug is from Southern Biological, and the prac ideas come from them. I bought a set which had both powder and the hand cream, and a UV light. It's very effective.

[nickyw]

Hi All

For a cheaper alternative I have used cheap clear hair gel with a bottle of glitter mixed in it. A couple of students rub the gel on their hands (glitter simulating germs) students go around the shaking hands with each other, and watch the glitter (germs) spread. Its even quite hard to remove all glitter when washing your hands. Message gets across how easy it is to spread germs. All for about $4.00.

[rae]

Excellent. I will work on that.

[smiley]

Hey Guys,

In light of recent new events, we have added in a variation to Nicky's "Who Spread the Disease" prac, which works really well! Gotta love it when an experiment variation does work first time!

We do two trials.

In trial #1 we use 0.1M NaOH, and phenolphthalein, do 3 liquid exchanges, test for "disease" using the Phth, and work out who spread the disease.
In trial #2 we "vaccinate" a couple of cups with 1M HCl (Unseen by kids, i.e. secretly) and do the 3 exchanges again, and test with PhTh. This time not as many kids get the "disease" because they were "vaccinated".

This can then lead into a whole classroom discussion on vaccination.

Pretty cool eh?