This microbiology kit has been designed as an introduction to the study of micro-organisms. The booklet has been written for the teacher who has little or no experience of handling micro-organisms and includes full instructions on safety aseptic techniques growing micro-organisms and their safe disposal. All of the experiments are set out step by step and cover a range of needs from 12-year-olds to sixth-form students.The kit could be used by a single student working through all the experiments or by a group working in parallel. The reagents cultures and media can be stored for several months particularly if they are refrigerated. It is possible to keep cultures for longer periods providing they are sub-cultured on to fresh medium at regular intervals.Experiments included in the teaching notes are as follows:Making broth culturesEffects of temperatureMaking plate culturesEffect of antibioticsGram's stainingNegative stainingPasteurisationExamining living bacteriaHow fungi obtain foodBacteria around usLooking at fungiBacteria in soilThe life cycle of MucorBacteria in milkThe kit contains:Fungi Cultures: Aspergillus oryzae Mucor+ Bacterial Cultures: Penicillium chrysogenum Bacillus stearothermophilus Staphylococcus albus Escherica coli 10 x nutrient agar deeps5 x nutrient broths1 x starch agar1 x malt extract agar1 x china blue lactose agar20 x petri dishes1 x universal container1 pair of gloves50 pre-cleaned slides100 x 18mm square coverslips2 x sterile pipettes5 x cavity slides1 x inoculating loopChinagraph Pencil3 x disposal bags1 x alcohol bottle (empty)1 x Grams Iodine1 x Crystal Violet1 x Neutral Red1 x Aniline Blue1 x nigrosine1 x 10% Resazurin Tablets10 x Streptomycin - 25 units10 x Penicillin - 1.5 units10 x Penicillin - 5 unitsAll parts of the kit can be replaced from our extensive range of cultures media reagents and equipment.Additional materials and equipment required:Adhesive TapeCotton WoolBlotting/filter paperAbsolute Alcohol (Industrial methylated spirit)Sodium Hypochlorite or domestic bleachVaselineImmersion OilFormalinBunsen Burner tripod & gauzeWater bath (or beaker of water)Test Tubes & bungsIncubator (optional)ThermometerMicroscope with Abbe condenser capable of 400x and 1000x magnificationStereo MicroscopeForcepsDissecting needleBeakersPlease note: Alcohol has been omitted from the kit although an empty bottle for it is provided. This enables the kit to be send freely by post and air.