A fun, simple science activity you can do at home or in the classroom
As an educator, have you ever thought, “I just want a cool and fun science experiment I can do with my students”?
Or are you looking for the next class pet but want something more low maintenance?
Or maybe you simply want to try out some microbiology at home.
A Winogradsky column is a very cool and fun experiment that lets you (and your students) experience the microbial world in a hands-on way. If you try this, you are in for a treat.
Also, as far as the low-maintenance pet goes…once you make one, you don’t have to feed it or play with it — they are microbes, after all. You can enjoy watching it change as the microbes grow.
Teach me how to make a Joyful Winogradsky Column! ($12)
Have you ever wanted to see what was going on in a world we can’t usually see? I know I did before I made a Winogradsky column.
A Winogradsky column lets you peer into the microbial world, like seeing through a window into the invisible world of microbes. You make an ecosystem in a jar and watch it change colors over a few weeks.
And if you are wondering, “but how do I make one?” this guide will provide the instructions you need to create a Winogradsky column, your window into the microbial world.
If you are a teacher, you will probably want to have a lesson plan outline, two versions of the guide so you can print it out for your students, and exercises. Those are included.
But maybe you’ve tried making a Winogradsky column, and you felt a little confused about what to do with it? Now what?
You want more details on what to expect. And I get it. That makes total sense.
The Joyful Winogradsky Column Guide takes you beyond creating your Winogradsky column with a color-coded guide to help you understand the colors you see when your Winogradsky starts to change. And if you have some questions about your results, how Winogradsky columns work, or what to do with it when you’ve finished the experiment (or the semester), you can check the frequently asked questions section of the guide.
You’ll get a PDF bundle when you buy the Joyful Winogradsky Column Guide:
- 1 Joyful Winogradsky Column Guide (Teacher Version)
- 1 Joyful Winogradsky Column Guide (Student Version)
- 1 Joyful Winogradsky Column Workbook
Teach me how to make a Joyful Winogradsky Column! ($12)
What’s inside of the PDF bundle?
The teacher version includes everything:
- Introduction to Winogradsky columns
- Step-by-step instructions to make a Winogradsky column (with pictures)
- A beautiful color-coded guide to show what you may grow
- A Winogradsky column case study
- Ideas for ingredients
- A shopping list to find materials you need
- Frequently asked questions
- Teacher lesson plan outline for using this in the classroom
- Exercises you can do to explore Winogradsky columns further
- More Winogradsky column resources
The student version includes what your students need for the experiment:
- Introduction to Winogradsky columns
- Step-by-step instructions to make a Winogradsky column (with pictures)
- A beautiful color-coded guide to show what you may grow
- A Winogradsky column case study
- Exercises you can do to explore Winogradsky columns further
The Workbook allows you to document the conditions you selected and track your column’s progress:
(This workbook is the same one you may have already gotten from me but is included in the bundle for anyone who has not downloaded it yet because it is a great companion to the Joyful Winogradsky Column Guide. If you don’t have it yet and are not ready to purchase the full guide today, you can download it here for free.)
- Section to write down your Winogradsky column experimental variables
- Guide to what changes to track (what to look for)
- 8 worksheets to document 8 weeks of progress
The Joyful Winogradsky Column Guide creates an opportunity for students of all ages to appreciate bacterial growth and diversity – making the invisible visible using vibrant visual aids that are easy to understand. Additionally, I am so thankful that this guide provides a hands-on learning experience that all students, both virtual and in person, can do because the materials are easily accessible and abundant in every home.
Jessica Popescu, Bio Med Teacher, Blue Springs High School
Okay, but here’s something really cool that you get…I commissioned science artist Lizah van der Aart to create a beautiful color-coded guide (pictured below) that shows you what may grow in your Winogradsky column. She also made a few more delightful graphics that you’ll get to enjoy in the guide and workbook.
Teach me how to make a Joyful Winogradsky Column! ($12)
Frequently Asked Questions
I’ve already seen the Winogradsky column blog post you wrote, so why should I buy this?
This guide goes in more depth to help you after creating one. The blog post teaches you how to make a Winogradsky column, but not about what microbes are growing in your Winogradsky column (that’s what the color guide will do) or what to do with your column after you’re finished. Also, this guide is for educators to use in the classroom, so it provides a lesson plan outline, two versions (a teacher version and a student version) of the guide so you can print out a simplified version for your students and have all of the details for yourself, and exercises for your students to do to explore Winogradsky columns further.
Why should I buy your Winogradsky column resource instead of using those I can find online for free?
I get it. This is not free. I know it would be nice to get it for free. And yes, there are resources out there about Winogradsky columns. But what I offer in this guide is a fun and engaging resource that strikes a balance between not being too technical but having plenty of details. I make a point of delivering scientific info in a way that is not dry and boring but is refreshing and approachable. So, you and your students will actually enjoy reading the background info about this experiment/activity.
Is this for me?
This guide is for…
- Teachers and homeschooling parents looking for a fun science activity or low-maintenance class pet
- Science enthusiasts who love microbes and want to do something hands-on at home
- Folks who used to work in a microbiology lab but no longer do and miss it (that’s me!)
- Scientists stuck at home because of the pandemic but want to be in the lab doing experiments
This guide is not for…
- Teachers who need a quick experiment that gets results the same day (it will take weeks to get the results/see color changes)
- Graduate-level educators looking for a highly detailed and technical guide that describes the microbes in Winogradsky columns down to the species level
Is there a print version?
There is no print version. The guide contains 3 PDFs that you can print out over and over again. Being able to print them yourself will be handy if you want multiple copies of the “Student Version” to distribute to your students.
How do I access the guide after I purchase it?
You will receive an email immediately after purchasing the guide that will provide a link for you to download the PDFs.
Get it now for $12. You will feel confident in creating an amazing Winogradsky column that you and your students can enjoy and brings more fun into your daily life.