ScienzFair™ Ideas - MICROBIOLOGY

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Microscopes

•     Research, construct and demonstrate the usage of a simplified microscope to
        view micro-organisms.  

DNA

•     Is there a difference between plant and animal DNA?

•     How can we extract DNA from onions?

•     More DNA and genetic testing projects.

Genetic Engineering

•     How can genetic engineering be used to make glow in the dark bacteria?
        (For ADVANCED students only - Be sure to study both teacher and the
         student guides.)

Detecting Microorganisms

•     Is it possible to make and use a nutrient agar from materials at home?

•     How sanitary is an open bowl of candy?

•     Compare the amounts of bacteria in different poultry samples.

•     How sanitary are the wash cloths, sponges, and sinks of the average home?

•     Which has the most bacteria... my kitchen or my bathroom?

•     Do the worst odors indicate the highest concentration of bacteria?

•    Which area has the most bacteria... my classroom, my home, or the
        emergency room of the local hospital?

•     Compare the relative bacterial levels in milk samples with different
        expiration  dates.

•     What is the effect of temperature on bacteria in milk?

•     What effects do magnetic or electric fields have on bacteria?

•     What effect does pH have on bacterial growth?

•     What are the effects of temperature on bacterial growth?

•     What effect does garlic have on bacterial growth?

•     What is the most effect plant antibiotic?

•     Are some types of makeup more prone to bacterial growth?

•     What levels of bacteria are present in school drinking fountains?

Germicides/Sanitation

•     Which brand of mouthwash is the best control for oral bacteria?

•     Do deodorants and anti-perspirants mask odor, kill bacteria, or both?

•     Which household cleaner kills bacteria the best?

•     Do soaps get rid of skin bacteria?  Do germicidal soaps work, and if so,
        which one works best?

•     Are common sanitary procedures such as handwashing and alcohol swabbing
        really effective in preventing the spread of bacteria?

•     Which common antiseptic is most effective against bacteria?

•     Compare the effectiveness of assorted tile cleaners in killing shower mold.

•     Can naturally occurring substances be used as disinfectants or antibacterials?

•     Can a microwave oven be used as a sterilization device?

Molds/Fungus

•     Which type of bread molds the most rapidly?

•     What factors are beneficial to the growth of bread molds? Detrimental?

•     What is the effect of light and temperature on bread mold?

•     Which type of cheese molds the most rapidly?  

•     Will penicillium mold grow best in apple juice, vinegar, water, or milk?

•     What is the effect of microwave radiation on bread molds?
•     Will mold(s) grow on mascara?                        

•     Can penicillium mold be grown at home and penicillin extracted?

•     What effect does ultraviolet light have on the fermentation rate of yeast?

•     What effect does the sun's ultraviolet rays have on the growth of yeast?

•     Which would be the best growth medium for baker's yeast?  Corn syrup,
        sugar, or starch?

Soil Bacteria

•     Which nearby region has the best soil?

•     What  would the effect be on plant growth if the soil had no micro-organisms?

•     Will soil bacteria assist in degrading phenol?

•     Can useful household microbial products be found in soil samples in our city?

Antibiotics

•     Can antibiotic substances be isolated from soil samples in our city?

•     Which antibiotic is most effective against microorganisms?

•     How rapidly does bacteria mutate after treatment with antibiotics?

Fermentation

•     What affect does temperature have on fermentation?
•     Does the acidity of apple juice affect how quickly it ferments?
•     Can the bateria in yogurt be used to ferment the sugars in milk and create
        additional yogurt?

•     Can the limberger cheese bacterium be collected, isolated and grown from
        the cheese itself?

Miscellaneous

•     Can radiation be used to control bacterial growth on meat products meant
        for human consumption?

•     What are the effects of various growth medias on dinoflagellates' ability to
        produce bioluminescence?    

NOTE: Be sure to check out our Chemistry category as well. Some biochemistry projects may show up in that category.

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