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Could This Be True? Girls Are Filthier than Boys Preliminary
CALIFORNIA STATE SCIENCE FAIR
2002 PROJECT SUMMARY
Ap2/02
Name(s)
Project Number
Project Title
Abstract
Summary Statement
Help Received
Juan Alvardo; Nathalie Galvez; Enrique Garcia
Could This Be True? Girls Are Filthier than Boys
22437
Objectives/Goals
Our objective was to find out which gender restroom in our school was the filthiest. According to out
pre-experimental survey, the students in the school believed that the boys' restroom in the gym would be
the filthiest.
By taking samples in order to grow bacteria, we could determine which bathroom sinks and possibly
which bathroom in the school is the filthiest.
Methods/Materials
To conduct our experiment, we used petri-dishes with soy agar, cotton swabs, water, index cards, an
incubator and paper. It was decided that it would be best to collect our samples from the drain in the sink
since both boys and girls "should be" washing their hands after they used the toilet. The cotton swabs
were used to collect the samples and then were carefully wiped on the agar of the designated petri-dishes.
The petri-dishes were then placed in a incubator at 35C.
Results
After 2 days, the petri dishes were checked and the results recorded. Based in our results, it was
determined that the sink in the girls' restroom, in the Science Building, is dirtier than any the other
restroom sinks in the school.
Conclusions/Discussion
Based on our results, we had to reject our hypothesis. The sink in the girls'
restroom was filthier than the sink in the boys' restroom. Possible reasons for this may be because girls
are more likely to use the sink. Many may use it to apply their makeup and may be more likely to wash
their hands after using the toilet.
To find out which gender's restroom in our school was the filthiest.
Ms. Lujan provided some of the materials; Mr. Wiest provided the digital camera; the Science Department
supplies the incubator.