Germ City Talking Points for Middle School Presentation
When students come in have them fill out the survey and ask them to be honest.
State these statistics:
Hand washing is the single most important means of preventing the spread of infection.
In one study, only 75% of female adults and 58% of male adults washed their hands after using the bathroom.
Only 65% of females and 40% of males washed their hands after using the bathroom at the Minnesota State Fair.
You will guide Germ City visitors through four steps:
Step 1: Apply glitterbug
Apply a small amount (dime sized dab) of Glitterbug Potion to either hand. Tell students to rub the potion all over both sides of their hands and wrists as they would hand lotion.
Say:
Germs are very small and we can’t see them but they can make us sick.
This lotion will glow in the dark under the black lights in Germ City. If you could see germs on your hands this is what they might look like.
Ask how they could have gotten real germs on their hands today?
Step 2: See pretend germs in Germ City
Talk to students about germs and handwashing.
Say:
These are only pretend germs. Why does it matter if we have real germs on our hands?
How can we remove real germs from our hands? (Wash well with soap for 20 sec.)
Review the mnemonic SSSRD with them: Soap, scrub, sing, rinse and dry. Go over each step and tell why they are important.
If someone has glowing face, shirts, etc,… ask how did those germs get on his/her face? Can that happen with real germs?
Talk about cross contamination of germs in home when people prepare food or do other activities. Talk about places where cross- contamination takes place: computer keyboard, cell phone, drinking fountain, etc….
Step 3 : Wash Hands
Discuss how to wash hands correctly.
Talk about where bacteria may hide on their hands (fingernails, jewelry….)
Have one student just use hand sanitizer and not soap and water. Ask if they think their hands will be cleaner or less clean with soap and water.
Step 4: See how well hands were washed back in Germ City
Have students check to see how well they washed their hands (many will be surprised that there is still lotion on hands)
Compare the student who used hand sanitizer with the others – they will be much worse with the hand sanitizer. Remind them that soap and water is best, but if it isn’t available, hand sanitizer is better than nothing.
Ask if they think they washed long enough.
Ask what did they learn?
Review SSSRD mnemonic.