What I did at work last week

I work in the science department at a Junior high school. I have been there for about 10 years now. I took over the position from a woman who did this job for 32 years, and retired. Some of my responsibilities include ordering supplies, setting up all labs, mixing all chemical solutions, in charge of all chemicals in school, inventory, etc. Last week I had to make Agar. I do this once a year, and it is a process. Then the kids take the petre dishes around the school with cotton swabs and swipe dirty surfaces, then swipe it in the dish and watch bacteria grow over the next few weeks. It's really fun for the kids, and there are germs EVERYWHERE! Below is my office/lab, where all of the fun stuff happens. First I lay out all of the petre dishes. I have to make 600 of these little suckers, so it takes me pretty much all week. It is a step by step process, that is why it is so time consuming.




Then I weigh out the agar, (43 grms), mix with water (1500 mls.), then have to bring it to a boil for 3 minutes.

Then place the cooked agar into flasks.

Then place the flasks into this big ol' scary pressure cooker. Wait for it to reach the right pressure, then cook again for 15 minutes.

After it cools down, I poor the agar into the petre dishes. Let it set (kind of like jello.) Then refrigerate. One batch only makes about 70, so that's why it pretty much takes me all week to make.

And walla', the finished product!

Have a great day everyone!!

XOXO