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Forensic Microbiology: A Sporespicious Letter

This investigative activity tasks high school students to solve a medical mystery using endospore staining. Students are presented with a case where they must identify the presence or absence of Bacillus anthracis spores (the causative agent of anthrax) from a fictitious letter which contains white powder and is causing illnesses. Students evaluate microbiological evidence and demonstrate mastery of a forensic microbiology technique...

Keywords:: microscope, medical mystery, high school, anthrax, bioterrorism, endospore stain, microbiology, forensics, active learning, case study

Disciplines:

Science and Technology / Biology / Microbiology

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Material Type:: Case Study
Date Added to MERLOT:: March 25, 2025
Date Modified in MERLOT:: March 25, 2025
Authors:: Medora Huseby
Giana Mancina, Colorado State University
Annelie Szarke, Colorado State University
Submitter:: Medora Huseby
Primary Audience:: High School, College Lower Division
Technical Format:: Website

Mobile Compatibility:: Not specified at this time
Technical Requirements:: Internet connection and a browser that supports google docs and google slides.
Language:: English
Cost Involved:: No
Source Code Available:: Unknown
Creative Commons:: This work is licensed under a Attribution 4.0 International