Powered by OpenAIRE graph
Found an issue? Give us feedback
image/svg+xml art designer at PLoS, modified by Wikipedia users Nina, Beao, JakobVoss, and AnonMoos Open Access logo, converted into svg, designed by PLoS. This version with transparent background. http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Open_Access_logo_PLoS_white.svg art designer at PLoS, modified by Wikipedia users Nina, Beao, JakobVoss, and AnonMoos http://www.plos.org/ ZENODOarrow_drop_down
image/svg+xml art designer at PLoS, modified by Wikipedia users Nina, Beao, JakobVoss, and AnonMoos Open Access logo, converted into svg, designed by PLoS. This version with transparent background. http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Open_Access_logo_PLoS_white.svg art designer at PLoS, modified by Wikipedia users Nina, Beao, JakobVoss, and AnonMoos http://www.plos.org/
ZENODO
Preprint . 2025
License: CC BY NC ND
Data sources: ZENODO
ZENODO
Preprint . 2025
License: CC BY NC ND
Data sources: Datacite
ZENODO
Preprint . 2025
License: CC BY NC ND
Data sources: Datacite
versions View all 2 versions
addClaim

This Research product is the result of merged Research products in OpenAIRE.

You have already added 0 works in your ORCID record related to the merged Research product.

Painting with yeast: An accessible microbial art activity using dehydrated Baker's yeast and low-cost supplies

Authors: Madden, Anne A.; Ramakrishnan, Swetha; Berkmen, Mehmet; Nai, Corrado; Debenport, Tracy;

Painting with yeast: An accessible microbial art activity using dehydrated Baker's yeast and low-cost supplies

Abstract

Abstract: Microbial art, or ‘agar art’—the act of painting with living microorganisms on solidified growth media—is an evidence-based STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art, and math) activity for engaging students across age groups and disciplines. Because of its growing popularity, there are various microbial art protocols and commercially available kits to help instructors include this activity in their curriculum. However, despite their simplified nature, these protocols can still present challenges for adoption. This is particularly true for instructors without specialized laboratory equipment (e.g. micropipettes, scales, and autoclaves), or those unfamiliar with specific laboratory methods, such as sterile technique. Here, we provide a simplified ‘Kitchen Microbial Art’ protocol that further reduces the challenges and costs of traditional microbial art protocols. We accomplish this by replacing the use of transgenic microorganisms as paint with dehydrated Baker’s yeast, and removing the requirement for sterile technique by using commercially available pre-poured growth media in Petri plates as the canvas. One hundred-and-twenty 6th grade students participated in this activity in a standard classroom setting, with many of them reporting the activity as engaging and fun. Ultimately, this highly simplified and low-cost protocol can make the STEAM activity of microbial art accessible to even younger and broader audiences, including those in remote learning environments. These resources include the preprint of this manuscript and supplemental materials (one pdf document and two video files)

Keywords

STEAM, sourdough, yeast, Microbiology, Microbial Art, Science communication, Science craft, FOS: Biological sciences, Bioart, Agar art, Science art, Science engagement, Science education, K-12 Education

  • BIP!
    Impact byBIP!
    citations
    This is an alternative to the "Influence" indicator, which also reflects the overall/total impact of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network (diachronically).
    0
    popularity
    This indicator reflects the "current" impact/attention (the "hype") of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network.
    Average
    influence
    This indicator reflects the overall/total impact of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network (diachronically).
    Average
    impulse
    This indicator reflects the initial momentum of an article directly after its publication, based on the underlying citation network.
    Average
Powered by OpenAIRE graph
Found an issue? Give us feedback
citations
This is an alternative to the "Influence" indicator, which also reflects the overall/total impact of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network (diachronically).
BIP!Citations provided by BIP!
popularity
This indicator reflects the "current" impact/attention (the "hype") of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network.
BIP!Popularity provided by BIP!
influence
This indicator reflects the overall/total impact of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network (diachronically).
BIP!Influence provided by BIP!
impulse
This indicator reflects the initial momentum of an article directly after its publication, based on the underlying citation network.
BIP!Impulse provided by BIP!
0
Average
Average
Average
Green