Healthy+Hands

=Which hand cleaning material is most effective in removing bacteria?=

=Introduction/Hypothesis= Michael's hypothesis: The soap having a higher percentage of alcohol will help clean hands the best. Will's hypothesis: The soap that is the most expensive will clean hands the best.

=Annotated bibliography for background information= Johnson, T D. "Washing Your Hands Can Be the Key to Good Health." // American Public Health Association //39.7 (2009): 15. Web. Widmer, A F. "Replace Hand Washing with the Use of a Waterless Alcohol Hand Rub?" // Clinical Infectious Diseases //31(2000): 136-143. Web.

=Materials list= 1 digital thermometer 1 tub Clorox Wipes 1 bottle Dawn dish soap 1 bottle Softsoap 1 bottle GermX hand sanitizer 1 bottle Bath and Body works hand soap 4 petri dishes bacteria source

=Procedure= 1. Before testing each type of soap, wipe hands with Clorox wipe for a clean start 2. Pet the bacteria source (dog) 3. Wash hands with 1/2 tbs of soft soap and water with a temp of 108.3 4. Swipe right index finger into the labeled petri dish 5. Repeat these steps using the remaining 3 soap brands

=Variables and Controls= Independent Variables are the various types of soap: Softsoap, Dawn, GermX, and Bath and Body Works. Dependent Variable is the level of bacteria that grows as a result of using each type of soap. Controls: Amount of soap, water temperature, using same finger each time for sample.

=Data recordings and pictures=


 * [[image:PB080047.jpg width="80" height="59" caption="Bacteria Source"]]
 * [[image:PB080041.jpg width="80" height="59" caption="1/2 tbs of soap"]]
 * [[image:PB080019.jpg width="80" height="59" caption="Swiping a sample"]]
 * [[image:PB140080.jpg width="80" height="59" caption="Day 6 - starting to see some variations in samples."]]
 * [[image:PB140083.jpg width="80" height="59" caption="Cleanest sample so far"]]
 * [[image:PB140084.jpg width="80" height="59" caption="Dirtiest sample so far."]]

=Charts and graphs=

Bacteria Growth Chart
 * || Soft Soap || Dawn || Bath and Body Works || GermX ||
 * Day One || No change || No change || No change || No change ||
 * Day Two || No change || No change || No change || No change ||
 * Day Three || 1 large spot, 10 small spots || No change || 4 large spots || 1 large spot, 1 small spot ||
 * Day Four || 1 large spot, 10 small spots || No change || 6 large spots || 1 large spot, 3 small spots ||
 * Day Five || Multiple spots in petri dish || No change || 6 large spots || 1 large spot, 3 small spots ||
 * Day Six || Same || Same || Same || Same ||
 * Day Seven || Same || Same || Same || Same ||
 * Day Eight || More spots than day 5 || Same || Growing more spots || Same ||
 * Day Nine || Spots and white flecks of growth || Some slight discoloration – not concentrated in a spot like the others || Covered in spots and white flecks of growth similar to that of the Soft Soap || No new spots ||
 * Day Ten || Even more of the white flecks || No change since yesterday || More white flecks and spots || No new spots ||

=Conclusions=

=
After ten days of observation on the sample petri dishes, it was determined that Dawn dish soap had the least amount of bacteria. This nullifies Michael’s hypothesis that the soap with the greatest amount of alcohol (GermX) would result in the least amount of bacteria. It also nullifies Will’s hypothesis that the most expensive soap (Bath and Body Works) would result in the least amount of bacteria. =====

photos of display board:

[[image:IMG_1013.jpg width="160" height="117"]] [[image:IMG_1014.jpg width="160" height="117"]]
=Sources of Error= As controlled as we can try to be, every step of the procedure is not going to be exactly identical. Outcomes might be different based on hygiene condition of dog before sampling, bacteria in the water (tap water vs. spring water), use of cleansing agent before each sample. These could also possibly affect outcomes.