Prepare for lesson:
- Review Microbes activity guide and Microbes Know How to Work
- Supplies for class:
- Thermometer(s)
- 2 large tubs to hold ice and bottles
- Bag of ice
- Supplies for groups (3 youth):
- 3 small empty water/soda bottles
- 45 sugar cubes
- 3 balloons
- 3 packets of baking yeast
- 3 rubber bands
During the lesson:
- Introduce the concept of microbes by asking youth:
- What are microbes?
- Listen for and share example of its use in environmental engineering (see guide for examples)
- Emphasize their role as engineers in today’s activity.
- Share that yeast is the microbe they’ll be using. Ask them:
- Do they know how it’s used everyday? Examples: bread, beer.
- Also used to make ethanol which is a biofuel. Discuss biofuel.
- Watch the Microbes Know How to Work video with youth