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Name: Sara
Status: Educator
Grade:  6-8
Location: NE
Country: United States
Date: February 2008
Question:
Are there any dangers associated with growing bacteria in a petri dish in the classroom? I taped the petri dishes up but the condensed water was leaking out a bit. We were super careful and used hand sanitized etc. One of my students who was set on finding out what hers was researched with her mom and they thought we had grown mrsa. Is this possible? I am a little nervous but I can't find any warnings anywhere on the internet or with the supplies I used to make the petri dishes. Should I be concerned? What can I do differently to decreas any potential risk? Can I cut down on the condensation? If the dishes are never turned upside down so that the water actually touches the bacteria is it still potentially harmful? Any info. you could give me or lead me to would be very helpful.


Replies:
Sara, NEWTON BBS does not recommend growing bacteria at home or in the classroom. Our statement when we receive inquiries about growing bacteria is as follows:

NEWTON BBS does not recommend growing/culturing bacteria without an expert microbiologist and a properly equipped microbiology laboratory. Safety is our main concern for growing dangerous bacteria unknowingly is a real possibility and serious illness may occur without proper handling. Furthermore, without proper disposal such as an autoclave can guarantee, there is a danger to anyone who comes in contact after disposal.

All of our experts support this statement. The following is a high school microbiology teacher who has a fully equipped microbiology lab in her school. I will send it as an example of the responses to your inquiry.

Steve Sample
Co-sysop
NEWTON BBS

What was the actual question being investigated? If bacteria are being collected from people (ie. skin swabs, mouth swabs) it is difficult to know what is being cultured when a person has little experience with microbiology. It certainly might be possible to culture MRSA if random cultures are being taken. Once plates are made, if they are left at room temperature, upside down for a few days, this should cut down on condensation. I would be very careful about having inexperienced students/parents trying to grow bacteria at home, not under laboratory supervision.

kvanhoeck


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