Jerry Knutson's Microbiology classes have been active participants in service learning projects. These students use everything they have learned in class to inform UMC students as well as the Crookston community about important Microbiological issues.

Whether the topic is ecological effects of pollution or treatment and prevention of common infections, the Microbiology classes have informed UMC students about several issues.

Informative presentations about diseases and prevention techniques

The class assignment was to create a PowerPoint Presentation about a biological issue. The quality, creativity and range of topics was amazing. Below are a few examples of the presentations.

The Truth Behind What Happened to the Care Bears
Fusarium Head Blight
Mr. Ed Needs Protection

Debra Simpkins asked her friend, Missy Barrus, to illustrate her story, Casey Learns About Microbes. Click here to read Casey Learns About Microbes . Simpkins presented her story to the children at the UMC Children's Center.

Click here to read more about the Microbiology projects.

Toxoplasmosis awareness brochure

Vanessa (Dietel) Armstrong, a sophomore pre-pharmacy major at the University of Minnesota, Crookston (UMC), created a Toxoplasmosis awareness brochure featuring Dr. Cuddles as part of her Microbiology class service learning project.

The purpose of the brochure is to make expectant mothers aware of the risk of contracting Toxoplasmosis from their cats. The brochure was distributed to Polk County Health and to local veterinary clinics. Click here to read more about Armstrong's brochure.

Click here to view the Web-ready version of Vanessa Armstrong's Toxoplasmosis Booklet. [ PDF ]

Click here to download a printable copy of Armstrong's Taxoplasmosis booklet. [PDF]

Click here to download a Microsoft Word version of the booklet. [Word]

Tattoo and body piercing

With the popularity of tattooing and body piercing on the rise, the Microbiology class focused its attention on some precautionary topics. Their assignment was to create a brochure to inform the UMC students about piercings and tattoos so they can make an informed decision.

The UMC Student Health Coordinator, Stacy Grunewald,was very interested in the project. In fact, Grunewald and Jerry Knutson began discussing this service learning project as far back as last spring.

In addition to the class project, Student Health and the Microbiology class helped sponsor a Tattoo and Piercing Contest where UMC students, faculty, and staff showed off their body art.

The plan is to distribute some of the brochures to local high schools. Click on the links below to view the brochures and the printable version of the brochures:

This brochure offers a short quiz to test your knowledge on tattooing.
The Printable Version .

The second brochure is more of a precautionary one. It highlights tattoos through history, then goes on about how to choose the Tattoo parlors.
The Printable Version .

This brochure is an excellent source of information if you are thinking about getting a piercing. It details the different kinds of piercing as well as some of the risks with each one. The brochure also explains how to maintain your piercing.
The Printable Version .