AboutRalph Salier-Hellendag Expertise Science Fair Judge for many years and experience with robotics, biology, chemistry, industrial processes, metalurgy and metal forming.
Experience Science Fair Judge for many years and have helped several students get to state level competition. Most recently 2 of my students received state level awards and one went on to the nationals in Washington DC.
Education/Credentials BA Archaeology - Anthropology
MA Business Anthropology
Expert: Ralph Salier-Hellendag Date: 3/4/2008 Subject: Teaching importance of Handwashing to elementary age
Question Hi! I am working with my RN clincal group at a local "KId Fest". We are trying to find fun ways to show kids(K-12) the importance of handwashing. Do you have any ideas that might help? Also, do you know where we could purchase slides or posters showing differen microorganisms? Thank you for your time.
Answer Hi Carla,
Great Idea. The web site below may have some posters you can use but I'm not sure. there are similar sites that carry all kinds of posters. Some science catalogues also may have posters with this sort of thing.
As for an experiment. Take a ball and coat it with a florecent clear liquid. This acts as the "germs". Then simply play with the ball and then using a UV light, show the kids where all the florecents shows up. This would be where the germs end up too. Have them wash their hands and then use the UV light again to show them how well they did.
Clearly you will want to do this to your self first to make sure that it works. You may want to check with your local ME or Pathology department to find a suitable liquid. Some may not be safe to ingest so it is important to know in advance.
