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Microorganisms: Good Guys or Bad Guys?

Students will explore and observe microorganisms at work in decomposition as well as in the production and preservation of food. Activities include creating a "decay buffet" and identifying grocery store foods that contain or are made with the help of microorganisms.

Grades
6 – 8
Estimated Time
Three to four 45-minute sessions
Updated
April 24, 2023
Sour sauerkraut, pickled carrots, pickled cucumbers, pickled celery in glass jars
Image: Alexander Donin/iStock

Background

Lesson Activities

Credits

Author

Debra Spielmaker | Utah Agriculture in the Classroom

Standards

National Content Area Standards

  • Science
    • MS-LS1: From Molecules to Organisms: Structures and Processes
      • MS-LS1-1: Conduct an investigation to provide evidence that living things are made of cells; either one cell or many different numbers and types of cells.