Sunshine State Standard

SC.F.1.4.8

Materials

test tubes; clear, basic salt solution; phenophthalein indicator

What to do

Prepare one tube of a weak basic salt solution. Pepare the other tubes(1 per lab group) with tap water only. Give each lab group a test tube; give the base solution to one group without telling them. Have the students "contact one another" by mixing test tube contents. Test each groups' tube contents after they "contact" 3 people. A purple color results from contacting someone contaminated with the virus. Discuss the means of transmission ("contact"). Determine the ratio of those infected to those remaining free of the virus. Discuss measues to reduce chances of exposure.

Additional Information

Viruses, immunity, sexually transmitted diseases,

Submitted by

Tina Hubler

Escambia County
Penacola, Florida