Two simple laboratory experiences allow students to discover the unseen microbial world in everyday life. The aim of the first experience is to culture bacteria from body surfaces and small objects, while the second experience consists of estemating the number of bacteria within a probiotic drink serving. The two experiences may be used to introduce the study of microbiology and to support the understanding of important issues, such as bacterial growth (binary fission), culture media and the measurement of bacterial populations. Culturing bacteria from everyday items stimulates students’ interest and eliminates the need to store bacterial strains in the teaching laboratory.
