What Microbe Are You?

Abstract
This online “personality quiz” helps young learners understand the unconventional concept that most micro-organisms are beneficial; only a fraction are harmful. This activity matches the quiz-taker with the microbe that most closely reflects his or her personality. At the end of the quiz, students are assigned to their microbial matches, and the microbes are given fun code names to circumvent the challenge of pronouncing the microbes' scientific names. Teachers can include this activity as a fun way to begin or end a unit on life sciences.

Intended Audience
Grades K-8

Learning Objectives
At the completion of this activity, each learner will be able to:
1. Appreciate the vast abundance and diversity of marine microbes.
2. Understand that most microbes are not harmful.

Necessary Student Background
This activity requires that students be comfortable using a computer and navigating through websites.

Keywords
Diversity, identification, marine bacteria, microbiology

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What Microbe Are You? (11 pages)