Bacteria Watch: Microbe Levels in Local Bodies of Water

As you know if you're a regular reader of this blog, April is Citizen Science Month. We think that hands-on projects that get students out of the classroom and into their communities are a key part of learning. We have…

Water Watch: A Microbial Most-Wanted List


Most microbes are harmless or even beneficial, but a small subset—pathogens—can wreak havoc on human health. One of the most common ways people encounter pathogens is through contaminated water. While many water sources undergo treatment that eliminates over 99.9% of…

Splash of Concern: What the Paris 2024 River Quality Means for Students

As the Paris 2024 Olympics continues, the River Seine was set to be a stunning backdrop for the swimming and triathlon events. However, amid the excitement, there’s been a lot of chatter about the water quality of this iconic river…

Best of the Best – Identifying coliform bacteria in water samples

Water quality is a critical factor for public health. Water is essential for drinking, cooking, and hygiene. This means that water testing and monitoring are essential to ensure that a community stays healthy. In fact, disease outbreaks have been repeatedly…