Abstract

Engaging students in the modern-day classroom has become increasingly challenging in the post-Covid era. One way to facilitate student engagement is by incorporating art into traditionally STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) based activities. The microbial art plate (MAP) activity has been designed to instruct students in culturing techniques, focusing on aseptic technique, in a university microbiology lab. The MAP activity involves the use of naturally chromogenic bacterial organisms as living paint, while a nutrient agar plate serves as their canvas. In addition, students are required to use the tools of the microbiology lab, such as an inoculating loop, to create their artwork. Our activity was deployed in an introductory (freshman and sophomore) university microbiology lab focused on nursing majors. To gauge the effectiveness of this technique, a survey focused on student confidence in aseptic technique was administered before and after the activity. The MAP was met with a great deal of enthusiasm from students, and many expressed that it was their favorite activity of the semester. Our survey revealed a significant increase in student perceptions of their microbiological skills and their comfort with lab equipment post-activity. Thus, the MAP activity provides an effective and fun means to instruct students in aseptic technique. This highlights the effectiveness of incorporating artistic elements into activities in STEM, creating a STEAM classroom.

Keywords: Aseptic technique, Creativity, Design-based learning, Microbiology, Pedagogy, STEAM, STEM