Working with Agar Plates and Disposable

[laurena grieger]

I am questioning how do other schools use agar plates in their schools. What are the common practices that you tell the students when working with agar plates? Do your students wear gloves while viewing colonies? As a Lab Technician and using a Autoclave, how do you clean or check plates to keep safe? Last question - how long do you keep the plates for students viewing, and do you keep them in the fridge at all, after colonies have formed? Suggestions, Suggestions on better management and keeping safe and clean.
laurena grieger
Waikerie High

[RosalieM]

If you do a search for agar plates you will find answers to some of these questions although you will have to read through quite a bit. We don't ask the students to wear gloves because the plates are sealed. They are not to be opened after being contaminated. You will find a lot of discussion about autoclaving, pressure cooking and microwaving plates in the other threads. Sometimes we put the plates in the fridge depending on how long it is between lessons in the lab.
Rosalie