Investigating Bacteria in the Environment of Your Choice Working in groups of 2 – Choose an environment to sample for bacteria. Ideas include door handles, table in a study area, pop machine button, stairway rail, keys, raider card, etc. Be inventive—pick an area you would find interesting! You may sample 1-3 environments. You may also choose to sample an environment (i.e. – keys or pen) and then place in sterilizer to determine effectiveness. Communicate with your lab partners so that different environments are represented at your table. My environmental sample is from: ___________________________________ Organize your plate according to how many samples you are collecting. Label on the lid with black sharpie (along the edge) – a group name and environment sampled. Procedure: 1. Moisten a swab in the sterile water; before the removing the swab, press it against the side of the tube to remove excess moisture. 2. Firmly swab the region you would like to sample. 3. Use the swab to inoculate the agar plate, streaking the entire surface of the plate (see below). 4. Dispose of the swab in designated plastic container on back counter. (DO NOT throw swabs in the regular garbage!) 5. Incubate the plates until the next lab period. Store the plates upside down. If you don’t know what that means, ASK!
