plant_activities

Plant outreach activities:

Antibiotic Discovery Workshop: Investigating Bacterial Inhibition

In this hands-on activity, students will explore how scientists test for antibacterial properties by performing simple well diffusion assays. Participants will spread harmless bacteria (E. coli or Staphylococcus epidermidis) onto nutrient agar plates, create small wells using pipette tips, and add various extracts into the wells. After overnight incubation, students will observe zones of inhibition (clear areas around the wells) to determine if any of the extracts can prevent bacterial growth, mimicking real-world antibiotic discovery methods.

Killing bacteria: A Colour-Changing Experiment

In this interactive activity, students will investigate how different substances affect bacterial survival using a simple and colorimetric test. Participants will prepare liquid cultures of harmless bacteria (E. coli or Staphylococcus epidermidis), add various extracts, and then use a special dye called resazurin. Colour change in bacterial culture is then observed after 30 minutes— pink indicates living bacteria, while blue signals bacterial death — giving students a clear and quick visual result. This experiment introduces key concepts in microbiology and antibiotic testing. For both activities, different preparation methods (such as cold or hot extraction using water or alcohol) can be used to highlight how the extraction process affects the types of molecules obtained, and how these differences influence antibacterial activity.

Rainbow of Roots :

This is an engaging outreach activity that introduces children to a variety of plant science topics, including GFP (Green Fluorescent Protein), rhizobia, plant pathogens, natural dyes, and the selective breeding of carrots for colour. Participants collect themed stickers as they learn, making the experience interactive and rewarding. A colourful spinning wheel adds extra excitement, guiding children to different topics and encouraging exploration.

Natural Dyes :

This is a hands-on outreach activity where children explore how plants can be used to create vibrant, natural colours. Using safe, pre-mordanted fabrics, participants dye materials with easily sourced plants like onion skins (bright yellow), nettles (green), and purchased dyes like madder root (red/pink/brown). They also learn how different mordants — special metal salts — affect dye colour and fabric durability.

An alternative activity is the Woad and Indigo Dyeing, where participants explore the ancient art of creating blue dyes. Children can observe and participate in dyeing fabrics with woad or indigo while learning about the redox chemistry that drives the colour change. The process involves reducing the dye in a safe, controlled environment (using a mild reducing agent like urea) to make it soluble, then exposing the dyed fabric to air to reveal the brilliant blue colour. Full safety measures are in place to manage the chemical handling, ensuring an exciting and educational experience.