======Teaching Hand Washing with UV Light======


<WRAP right box>
**Materials: **{{$demo.materials_description}}\\
**Difficulty: **{{$demo.difficulty_description}}\\
**Safety: **{{$demo.safety_description}}\\
\\
**Categories:** {{$demo.categories}}
\\


**Alternative titles:** Glow Germ Hand Hygiene Demonstration
</WRAP>

====Summary====                   
{{$demo.summary}}



====Procedure====  
  -Provide each participant with a small amount of hand wash training lotion (such as GlitterBug, GermJuice, or GloGerm).
  -Have participants rub the lotion thoroughly over their hands, including around nails and between fingers.
  -Ask participants to wash their hands with water only, then check under a UV light to observe glowing areas.
  -Repeat with proper hand washing using soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
  -Observe under UV light again to compare results; fewer glowing areas show improved washing.
  -Optionally, allow children to interact or play briefly before checking under UV light to see how often they touch their faces.



====Links==== 
Kids Explain: A blacklight experiment on hand washing - The Oregonian: 
{{youtube>vIlfsZYRa34?}}\\

How To See Germs Spread Experiment (Coronavirus) - Mark Rober: 
{{youtube>I5-dI74zxPg?}}\\

📄 Teaching Hand Washing To Children - Using A UV Light - How We Montessori: [[https://www.howwemontessori.com/how-we-montessori/2020/03/teaching-hand-washing-to-children-using-a-uv-light.html]]\\

====Variations====
  *Test washing with water only vs. soap and water.
  *Compare quick hand washing with a full 20-second wash.
  *Check for glowing marks on the face after playing to demonstrate how germs spread by touch.
  *Use this activity in group lessons at schools or assemblies for a stronger impact.



====Safety Precautions====
  *Ensure the training lotion used is non-toxic and safe for skin.
  *Check for allergies before applying lotion.
  *Supervise the use of UV lights—do not shine directly into eyes.
  *Have children wash their hands thoroughly with soap and water after the activity.




====Questions to Consider====
  *What parts of the hands are most often missed when washing? (Usually around nails, between fingers, and sides of hands.)
  *Why does washing with soap work better than just water? (Soap breaks down oils and helps lift microbes off the skin.)
  *Why is it important to wash for 20 seconds? (It allows enough time to scrub all areas and effectively remove germs.)
  *How does touching your face spread germs? (Germs transfer from hands to mouth, nose, or eyes, where they can cause infection.)