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The Germ Cave Heli J. Roy, Ph.D., M.B.A., R.D. and Quincy Cheek, M.Ed., School of Nutrition and Food Sciences, Louisiana State University Agricultural Center LSU AgCenter School of Nutrition and Food Sciences has new educational tool in food safety toolbox The Germ Cave is dark, mysterious and fun. More importantly, however, the Germ Cave teaches participants the important techniques of proper hand-washing, keeping food safe and cleaning and sanitizing food surfaces. The brainchild of two LSU AgCenter extension agents (Quincy Cheek and Lou Altazan Brown), the Germ Cave consists of four black plastic walls held together on a metal tent frame. It is designed to fit conveniently into a 10-foot-by-10-foot booth space. Once set up, the inside of the “cave” is transformed into a black-light filled wonderland of small stuffed animal-like bacteria and glowing balloons hanging from the ceiling. Glow-in-the-dark handprints cover one wall, and instructions for proper hand-washing fill another wall. Two panels of the Germ Cave sport four bacteria “characters” with the words: Remember to Wash Your Hands!, as well as LSU AgCenter logos. Optionally, agar plates can illustrate growing bacteria, which can be displayed on a table along with the Fight Bac! fact sheet for participants to take home. The exhibit requires three to four volunteers to set up and dismantle. It also requires a 6-foot table for exhibits and electricity for the glow-germ lights and two small fans. Groups of 10-12 can go in at one time. The LSU AgCenter’s Germ Cave is a resource to make everyone aware that foodborne bacteria can make you sick. It also helps to teach that foodborne illness can strike anyone and that those at higher risk include pregnant women, young children, older adults and individuals with weakened immune systems. Interactive Germ Cave is designed to encourage hand-washing The interactive Germ Cave is designed to encourage hand-washing and engage youngsters in proper techniques of sanitation. As participants enter the Germ Cave, they are offered a high-five by the leader to show just how quickly bacteria cross-contaminate or transfer from hand to hand. Everyone’s hands glow under the black light, because the leader applies a phosphorescent lotion on his or her hands before the participants step into the Germ Cave. Two agents or program assistants present a five- to eight-minute lesson on hand-washing as part of the educational program, and participants are offered a hand-washing station or liquid hand sanitizer outside the tent. Steps in hand-washing www.LSUAgCenter.com

The Germ Cave - Purdue University · Once set up, the inside of the “cave” is transformed into a black-light filled wonderland of small stuffed animal-like bacteria and glowing

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Page 1: The Germ Cave - Purdue University · Once set up, the inside of the “cave” is transformed into a black-light filled wonderland of small stuffed animal-like bacteria and glowing

The Germ Cave Heli J. Roy, Ph.D., M.B.A., R.D. and Quincy Cheek, M.Ed.,

School of Nutrition and Food Sciences, Louisiana State University Agricultural Center

LSU AgCenter School of Nutrition and Food Sciences has new educational tool in food safety toolbox The Germ Cave is dark, mysterious and fun. More importantly, however, the Germ Cave teaches participants the important techniques of proper hand-washing, keeping food safe and cleaning and sanitizing food surfaces.

The brainchild of two LSU AgCenter extension agents (Quincy Cheek and Lou Altazan Brown), the Germ Cave consists of four black plastic walls held together on a metal tent frame. It is designed to fit conveniently into a 10-foot-by-10-foot booth space.

Once set up, the inside of the “cave” is transformed into a black-light filled wonderland of small stuffed animal-like bacteria and glowing balloons hanging from the ceiling. Glow-in-the-dark handprints cover one wall, and instructions for proper hand-washing fill another wall. Two panels of the Germ Cave sport four bacteria “characters” with the words: Remember to Wash Your Hands!, as well as LSU AgCenter logos. Optionally, agar plates can illustrate growing bacteria, which can be displayed on a table along with the Fight Bac! fact sheet for participants to take home.

The exhibit requires three to four volunteers to set up and dismantle. It also requires a 6-foot table for exhibits and electricity for the glow-germ lights and two small fans. Groups of 10-12 can go in at one time.

The LSU AgCenter’s Germ Cave is a resource to make everyone aware that foodborne bacteria can make you sick. It also helps to teach that foodborne illness can strike anyone and that those at higher risk include pregnant women, young children, older adults and individuals with weakened immune systems.

Interactive Germ Cave is designed to encourage hand-washing The interactive Germ Cave is designed to encourage hand-washing and engage youngsters in proper techniques of sanitation. As participants enter the Germ Cave, they are offered a high-five by the leader to show just how quickly bacteria cross-contaminate or transfer from hand to hand. Everyone’s hands glow under the black light, because the leader applies a phosphorescent lotion on his or her hands before the participants step into the Germ Cave.

Two agents or program assistants present a five- to eight-minute lesson on hand-washing as part of the educational program, and participants are offered a hand-washing station or liquid hand sanitizer outside the tent.

Steps in hand-washing

www.LSUAgCenter.com