Nobel Prize, Here We Come!

I'm a scientist by training and I believe in the scientific method.  So it only made sense that I'd introduce my children to scientific experiments.  Cameron and I set out over a month ago to explore bacterial growth.  And, wow, were the results ever eye opening!  Now perhaps you English major types will read this and think, "But Sharon, these results can't be accurate!"  To you I say, "Pshaw!"  We did experiments.  And we made observations.  You can't argue with that.

EXPERIMENT ONE
Objective: To determine if bacteria growth is affected by use of antibiotic.


Materials:  Petri dish, agar, Scotch tape, wooden spoons, antibiotic ointment, Sharpie pen

Method:  Agar was prepared, plated in the petri dish and cooled.  A black line was drawn with a Sharpie marker across the bottom of the petri dish.  The lid of the dish was labeled Dish A and the bottom of the dish was marked with an A (Antibiotic) and A with a slash through it (No antibiotic).  A piece of tape was applied to the lid of the garbage can.  The tape was then slid gently over the surface of the agar.  Using a wooden spoon, antibiotic ointment was smeared over the side of the dish labeled A.  The dish was covered with the lid and taped shut.  The entire dish was placed in a plastic bag, which was put in a dark, warm cabinet for one month.

Hypothesis:  Less bacteria will grow on the side of the petri dish with antibiotic.
Results:  No growth on either side of the dish.

Conclusions:  The lid of our garbage can is crazy clean!  No need to fear if you come over for dinner and see us touch the garbage can and then your food.  It's totally okay.  There may be bacteria on most garbage cans but, clearly, not on ours.

EXPERIMENT TWO
Objective: To compare bacteria growth from my mouth and from Cameron's mouth.


Materials: Petri dish, agar, Scotch tape, wooden spoons, Sharpie pen
Method: Agar was prepared, plated in the petri dish and cooled. A black line was drawn with a Sharpie marker across the bottom of the petri dish. The lid of the dish was labeled Dish B and the bottom of the dish was marked with an C (Cameron) and M (Mommy). Cameron and I then scraped the inside of our cheeks with a wooden spoon and carefully slid our spoon over the surface of the agar on the side marked with our initial. The dish was covered with the lid and taped shut. The entire dish was placed in a plastic bag, which was put in a dark, warm cabinet for one month.

Hypothesis: Bacteria will grow on both sides of the dish.
Results: No growth on either side of the dish.

Conclusions: Told you I don't have a dirty mouth.  I only say "Dang it" when I'm really, really mad. Cameron clearly is no potty mouth either.

I think for experiment number three I'm going to try out a few bad words and then swab my mouth.