Resources for K-12 Teachers

Rationale for Focus on
K-12 Education

In response to increasing concern in the scientific community about the inadequacies of science teaching in American schools, the Waksman Foundation for Microbiology has been supporting projects that encourage the use of microorganisms to teach science in the K-12 classroom. Our principal goal has been, and remains raising public understanding of science and demonstrating the importance that microorganisms play in our lives. These concerns lie behind the high priority assigned by the Foundation over the last decade to professional development workshops for K-12 teachers. Other related educational activities supported by the Foundation have included the development of loan trunks, CD's and websites and equipment donations

MIlwaukee School Photo Virtually every type of American institution engaged in education or research has received grants in K-12 education from the Foundation: Universities; Research Institutes; Scientific Societies; Museums; Schools; Associations; Consortia and Fellowship Programs. Every successful project has provided teachers with background information and current understanding of microbial diversity and the importance of microbial processes in the biosphere and has incorporated the use of hands-on activities for students at elementary, middle, or high school level.

The Foundation is now considering alternative innovative approaches to strengthening public understanding of microbiology and improving K-12 science education.

From the work of its grantees, the Foundation has developed the following resources for teachers:

A. Hands-On Activities for Students
1. Table of Exercises
2. Institutional Sources for these Exercises
B. Additional Enrichment Programs for School Teachers
C. Teacher Programs at Marine Laboratories
D. Microbiology Related Resources for School Teachers
E. Agencies Promoting New Programs for School Teachers

Hands-On Activities for Students

This database is a collection of field tested hands-on microbiology laboratory exercises, developed by grantees of the Foundation, for use in high schools, middle schools or elementary schools. The Foundation believes that the excellence of the scientists and teachers who have cooperated to develop the various exercises presented here ensures their value in conveying both basic principles of scientific research and something about the microbial world. The exercises are certified for safety. (Complete information on safety can be found in Micro-Organisms for Education, by H. T. Ewald et al. at http://www.science-projects.com/safemicrobes.htm).

Below are two means of accessing our collection of exercises. The first is a table that displays information about the nature and use of each of 84 hands-on exercises. The second is a list of institutional sources that can be consulted for additional information about most of these exercises.

1. Table of Exercises. In Table 1A are listed all of the exercises by Title, Source, URL, and Grade Level. Table 1B matches exercises to the National Science Standards.

2. Institutional Sources. Teachers seeking additional information for a particular exercise should refer to the following list of sources for contact information (The Foundation has included the most current information possible, but some website information and some contact individuals may have changed).

Resources for K-12 Teachers

Rationale for Focus on K-12 Education

Hands-On Activities for Students

Rationale for Focus on
K-12 Education