Sixth graders get lesson on the fine points of bacteria

Stanhope - Students in Denise Lepes’ sixth-grade science classes in Byram Twp. are studying the the effects of bacteria, helpful as well as harmful. The students have been surprised to learn that without beneficial bacteria, life as we know it today may not exist. The sixth graders are observing a form of bacteria that feeds on oil, a process called bioremediation. Students are researching where and how environmental pollutants are removed through bioremediation. They hope that increased use of bioremediation processes will mean that less land will need to be allocated for landfills. Students are observing harmful bacteria by collecting microphotos for their bulletin board, and preparing slides under the microscopes. Their topic will include daily current events to help them get a real picture and greater understanding of the important role played by baceteria.