Glitter Germ Experiment

Objective: Model how soap removes germs by using glitter as a stand-in for microbes. Students will compare washing with water only versus washing with soap and record their observations on the Lab Observation Sheet.

Materials Needed

• Small bowls or cups of clean water (one per pair)
• Mild liquid soap (in a pump or squirt bottle)
• Loose glitter (one color per pair) to represent “germs”
• Wipes or paper towels for cleanup
• Lab Observation Sheet (one per student)
• Clean towels or drying rack
• Hand sanitizer (optional)

Safety Guidelines

• Do not ingest glitter or soap.
• Keep glitter away from eyes; if contact occurs, flush gently with water.
• Clean up any spilled glitter immediately to avoid slipping and excessive mess.
• Remind students to wash and dry hands thoroughly after the experiment.

Step-by-Step Procedure

1. Pair Up & Prepare Stations
   • Students form pairs and collect one bowl of water and the soap dispenser.
   • Place paper towels or wipes nearby for quick clean-up.
2. Add Glitter “Germs”
   • Each student sprinkles a small pinch of glitter onto both hands, rubbing it gently so it sticks to the skin (like germs hiding in oils).
3. Water-Only Wash
   • One student rinses their right hand under running water for 10–15 seconds, using no soap.
   • After rinsing, shake off excess water and pat dry.
   • Observe and record—on the Lab Observation Sheet—how much glitter remains on the hand.
4. Soap Wash
   • The same student then re-coats both hands with a fresh pinch of glitter.
   • Apply liquid soap and scrub for at least 20 seconds (palms, backs of hands, between fingers, under nails).
   • Rinse thoroughly under running water, shake off excess, and pat dry.
   • Observe and record how much glitter remains.
5. Switch Roles
   • Partners repeat steps 3–4 so each student tests water-only vs. soap washing on their own hands.
6. Complete Observations
   • Use the Lab Observation Sheet to note:

• Amount of glitter after water only
• Amount of glitter after soap wash
• Any challenges (e.g., glitter sticking around knuckles or under nails)

Cleanup & Hand-Off

• Students use wipes or paper towels to clean any stray glitter.
• Discard used towels in the trash.
• Wash the bowls and return materials to the teacher.
• Sanitize hands once more, if desired.

Reflection Prompts

1. Which hand (water vs. soap) had less glitter? Why do you think that is?
2. How does this model relate to the way soap works at the microscopic level?
   
   
   
   
   

Share Your Findings

Overview

In this discussion, students will:

• Present and compare glitter-removal data from their Lab Observation Sheet.
• Connect their observations to the science of how soap works.
• Reflect on real-world applications for proper handwashing.

Estimated Time: 10 minutes

Group Roles (rotate as needed)

• Facilitator: Keeps the discussion on track, reads prompts, and invites students to share.
• Presenter: Shares your pair’s key findings and insights with the whole group.
• Notetaker: Records main ideas, patterns, and takeaways on chart paper or the board.

Discussion Steps

1. Think-Pair-Share (2 minutes)

   • Think: Individually review your data on the Lab Observation Sheet. Identify:
     • Which wash (water-only vs. soap) removed the most glitter?
     • Any surprises or challenges?
   • Pair: Share your answers with your partner. Decide on one key point to highlight.
   • Share: Each pair prepares to present their key point.

2. Whole-Group Sharing (5 minutes)

   • Facilitator calls on Presenters one at a time.
   • For each presentation, the Notetaker captures:
     • Data pattern (e.g., “Soap wash removed 90% of glitter vs. 40% with water.”)
     • Challenges (e.g., glitter under nails)
     • Surprising observations

3. Connect to Science (2 minutes)

   • Prompt: “Why do you think soap removed more glitter than water alone? How does this relate to what we learned about micelles?”
   • Encourage students to reference the Germ vs. Soap Visuals concepts (hydrophilic heads, hydrophobic tails).

4. Real-World Reflection (1 minute)

   • Ask: “Based on today’s experiment and our discussion, what one piece of advice would you give someone about proper handwashing?”
   • Record advice in a quick class list.

Follow-Up Points

• Compare results across pairs: Look for consistent patterns or notable differences.
• Highlight the importance of scrubbing duration and thorough rinsing.
• Reinforce that proper handwashing is a powerful barrier against illness.
• Use the Experiment Results Guide to confirm scientific accuracy and address misconceptions.

Next Steps: Review the class list of handwashing advice and plan to display it near sinks or in the classroom as a reminder for daily hygiene.

Lab Observation Sheet

Name(s): ________________________________ Date: _______________

1. Hypothesis

What do you think will happen to the glitter when you wash your hands with water only vs. with soap? Write your prediction below.

2. Data Collection

Record your observations for each wash. Describe how much glitter remains on your skin after each type of wash.

a. Water-Only Wash

Amount of glitter remaining:

b. Soap Wash

Amount of glitter remaining:

3. Comparison and Analysis

Which wash removed more glitter? Why do you think there was a difference?

4. Challenges

Describe any challenges you encountered during the experiment (e.g., glitter stuck under nails, slippery bowls).

5. Reflection

Based on your observations, explain how soap works at the microscopic level to remove germs (use terms like micelles, hydrophilic, hydrophobic if you can).

Experiment Results Guide

This guide provides expected observations, data patterns, and scientific explanations for grading the Lab Observation Sheet. Use the step-by-step notes below to assess student responses and address misconceptions.

1. Hypothesis

Teacher Notes: Look for a clear prediction comparing water-only vs. soap washes. Full-credit responses should:

• State that water will remove some glitter but leave much behind.
• Predict that soap will remove more glitter (because it can break up oils).

Sample Student Response:
“I think rinsing with water will wash off a little glitter, but washing with soap will get almost all of it off because soap lifts grease and glitter.”

Rubric:

• 2 points: Both parts compared and plausible scientific reasoning mentioned.
• 1 point: Comparison made but reasoning is vague/missing.
• 0 points: No prediction or off-topic.

2. Data Collection

a. Water-Only Wash

Expected Observations:

• A moderate amount of glitter remains (often 40–70% of initial glitter).
• Glitter clinging in creases, between fingers, and under nails.

Sample Entry:
“After water-only, about half the glitter washed off. Lots stayed around my nails and knuckles.”

b. Soap Wash

Expected Observations:

• Most glitter is removed (often 80–100% removed).
• Only small specks remain in hard-to-reach places.

Sample Entry:
“After scrubbing with soap, nearly all glitter came off. I still saw tiny bits under my nails.”

Rubric for both parts:

• 2 points: Quantitative estimate or clear qualitative description of both washes.
• 1 point: Observation noted for one wash or vague description.
• 0 points: No data recorded.

3. Comparison and Analysis

Key Idea: Soap wash removed more glitter than water alone.

Expected Explanation:
“Soap forms micelles that trap oils and glitter, so more comes off when rinsed.”

Rubric:

• 2 points: Correct comparison and plausible reason.
• 1 point: Correct comparison, weak/no reason.
• 0 points: Incorrect or missing.

4. Challenges

Common Challenges:

• Glitter sticking under fingernails or in creases.
• Slippery bowls or trouble getting soap onto all surfaces.
• Difficulty estimating amount of glitter.

Full-Credit Response Example:
“It was hard to get the glitter out from under my nails, and the bowl was slippery when my hands were soapy.”

Rubric:

• 1 point: Any reasonable challenge noted.
• 0 points: No challenges or off-topic.

5. Reflection (Microscopic Explanation)

Teacher Notes: Look for terminology and accurate description of micelle action.

Key Concepts to Include:

• Hydrophobic tails attach to oils and glitter (representing germs).
• Hydrophilic heads stay in water.
• Micelle formation surrounds and lifts away oils/germs when rinsed.

Sample Student Response:
“Soap molecules have hydrophobic tails that grab the oily germs and hydrophilic heads that face the water. They form little balls (micelles) around the germs so they can rinse off.”

Rubric:

• 3 points: Uses micelle + hydrophilic/hydrophobic correctly.
• 2 points: Describes micelle concept but missing one term.
• 1 point: General idea that soap breaks up oils.
• 0 points: Inaccurate or missing explanation.

Overall Scoring: Total possible = 10 points.
Use this guide to provide feedback, highlight strong scientific reasoning, and address gaps in student understanding of how soap removes germs.