EXPERIMENT: There's More Than Meets the Eye
(Print version available in PDF)
Question
Is it important to wash your hands before handling, preparing, or serving food -- even if they look clean?
My Hypothesis:
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
Materials Needed:
- Two small Delicious apples, washed in advance (but not by the person cutting the apples)
- Potato peeler
- Small, clean knife
- Cutting board
- Two sterilized jars (see "tip" below) with screw-top lids
- Masking tape or gummed labels
- Felt-tip markers
Getting Ready
Label the jars:- Jar 1 -- Washed Hands
- Jar 2 -- Unwashed Hands
Procedure
- Without washing hands, peel one apple and cut it in half on the cutting board.
For the Class Volunteer:
- Place one half of the apple in the jar labeled "Unwashed Hands." Screw the lid on tightly, compost the remaining apple.
- Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and warm water for 20 seconds. Now wash the potato peeler, knife and cutting board with soap and warm water.
- Peel the second apple and cut it in half.
- Place one half of the apple in the jar labeled "Washed Hands." Screw the lid on tightly and compost the remaining apple.
- Place jars in a warm place.
For the Class:
- Observe the jars once daily for a week and record your observations.
My Observations:
- Describe: Do the apples look the same? If not, describe how they are different.
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
- Illustrate: Draw pictures of both apples to show how they look after two days and at the end of the week.
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
- Chart: Create a chart or graph to record your data.
My Conclusions:
- This is what happened to each apple:
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
- I think the apples looked different because:
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
- This is what I learned about the food that I touch and eat:
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
Tip:
To sterilize: Wipe clean with rubbing alcohol or wash in the dishwasher.Tell Your Family ...
Make "Wash your Hands" reminders to hang near the kitchen sink or on the refrigerator at home to make sure that your family members are "All Washed Up" before they handle food.* Distributed May 2002 for use in September 2002
as part of the International Food Safety Council's National Food Safety
Education Month®.
* Also distributed by the Partnership for Food Safety Education
for use in
September 2004 and September 2007 as part of the National Food Safety Education
Month®.