The bacterial world
Microbes under the microscope — teacher-led biosafety
What soil microbes can we observe safely — and what do they suggest about soil health?
Science inquiry · Unit 3
The bacterial world
Microbes under the microscope — teacher-led biosafety
Nature of Science · Living World · Microorganisms
Wero
What soil microbes can we observe safely — and what do they suggest about soil health?
First step
Follow the Tiny Earth protocol with your teacher; document colonies with counts.
What you will show
Claim grounded in colony data with mandatory safety reflection.
Local place context
Which soil or compost site on your whenua? Confirm Tiny Earth RAMS with your teacher.
Nature of Science · Living World · Microorganisms
First step
Follow the Tiny Earth protocol with your teacher; document colonies with counts.
Expected outcome
Claim grounded in colony data with mandatory safety reflection.
You’ll compare observation records across samples and look for patterns you can explain carefully. You’ll use the evidence to decide what you would investigate next.
Five ways you could investigate
Pick one to start — or write your own question. The AI mentor supports you gently inside your investigation.
Idea 1
Soil source comparison
Do colony counts differ between two soil sources under identical protocol?
Start with this question →Idea 2
Incubation time pattern
How do colony numbers change across successive observation days — and what does timing tell us?
Start with this question →Idea 3
Moisture and colony spread
Does soil moisture relate to colony size or number — with teacher-safe sampling?
Start with this question →Idea 4
Location vs soil health
Which school-ground locations show the most diverse colonies — and why?
Start with this question →Idea 5
Sterile technique effect
When technique slips once, what changes in the plate — and how do we document it?
Start with this question →
Five things you could build
Fabrication ideas linked to makerspace tools — 3D print, laser cut, Arduino, data products, and more.
Build 1
Sample labelling system
Vinyl-cut labels that match your sterile protocol log.
Open in outcome selector →Build 2
Observation stand
Laser-cut a stand for consistent plate photography angles.
Open in outcome selector →Build 3
Soil sampling tray
3D print a tray that standardises sample volume.
Open in outcome selector →Build 4
Microbe story poster
Explain colony evidence to an audience without jargon.
Open in outcome selector →Build 5
Data log template
Design a spreadsheet or form that matches your counting rules.
Open in outcome selector →
AI mentor (inside your investigation)
No separate mentor page — support appears in your investigation workspace. It starts gentle: short prompts about your research context, data, and analysis. You or your teacher can turn assistance off for unassisted work, or request more help when you need it. It also guides fabrication choices tied to your evidence.