What are the rules for using restaurant names in a project

[deleted-151606]

I am doing my science fair project on bacteria growth, on trays, in five fast food restaurants. Can I state the names of these restaurants or should it be A, B, C, D & E. I just wasn't sure about the specifics where that is concerned. Thanks for any help with this!

[deleted-133687]

Hi bsec3045 and welcome to Science Buddies!

I think it's great that you are thinking about possible precautions before starting your experiment. It is okay to use the names of the fast food resturaunts as long as it's not against your school's or the county's science fair project rules. I suggest that you make sure your teacher approves before moving forward. Also, if you need any other help when making your hypothesis or setting up your experiement you can always visit https://www.sciencebuddies.org/science- ... ndex.shtml to help you get on the right track. Thanks for coming to Science Buddies for help!

Deja

[deleted-151606]

Thanks, my teacher suggested I keep the restaurants as A, B, C etc. but have the name information listed in my science fair journal.

I have almost completed my background research and research paper. I will take the samples in the next couple of weeks and work on the rest of the project. Any suggestions for a catchy title since it's dealing with bacteria, on trays, in fast food restaurants???

[deleted-143565]

Hello again,

As far as titles I am not very good but maybe something like " guess who's coming to dinner". Or " Dinner for 2 (million) ". .. Those are probably pretty bad but all I could think of. I did want to bring something up about your controls. As I previously mentioned I thought an un- inoculated plate would make a good control. But I am now thinking your controls should be inoculated with the distilled water or sterile saline ( contact lens solution) whichever you choose to show it is not contributing to your growth.
In fact I would plate half ( a simple streak on one side is fine) of your water / saline and leave the other side un streaked. This will be your best control. Also make sure to draw a line on the bottom of the plate with a marker like a sharpie so you know how you divided the plate. Label it accordingly with how it was or was not inoculated time and date. Make sure to barely lift the lid as to not introduce external factors.

I don't know what method you are using to plate your samples. There are a few out there, you don't want to end up with solid growth that you can't really compare. I would try streaking in a zig zag motion across the plate from one side to another. This will hopefully yield colonies you can count and therefore compare. Maybe research this method and streak plating for isolation if you have not already.


Good luck with your sampling.

If you get good growth take photos for your display , could be quite shocking!!!

T.choate

[deleted-151606]

That sounds like a good idea! I will do half with the distilled water swab & half left alone. Should I do 5 control dishes or is one ok? And I had looked at zig zag as the most effective. I was planning on taping the petri dishes after each sample to help prevent accidental opening or tampering. Is that a good idea? They have to remain in the school lab for the growth phase.

One idea, so far, for the title is "Over One Billion Served...Bacteria, That Is!"

[deleted-143565]

Hi,

Cute title for your project !
As far as the controls, one may be enough, I guess it is up to you. And if you tape the agar plates remember to only tape in a couple spots not all around or there will be no oxygen. But I suppose you knew that.

Sounds like you are well prepared and ready to go.

Can't wait to hear how it goes.

Best wishes,

T.choate