2026 ASM Conference for Undergraduate Educators

Agar art is a fun way to engage allied health students in microbiology. Students “paint” with microbes on agar plates. The goal of this study was to explore the success of integrating semester-long microbiology concepts into an agar art laboratory experience. Students completed standard laboratory experiments throughout the semester, including growth condition variations and differential media. They were required to keep a lab notebook, in which they recorded results and characteristics about various microbes. At the end of the semester, students completed an agar art lab experiment. They were given a “palate” of microbes, that were used throughout the semester, and a prompt that aligns with ASM agar art, such as “What brings you joy.” They then drew, with microbes, on agar. Students were given the option of using different agar plates and were allowed to grow their microbes at different temperatures. Making these decisions relied on a good lab notebook. For example, their red Serratia would be white if grown at the incorrect temperature. Their reports for this laboratory exercise required discussion of why they chose a particular temperature and medium. They were also required to consider how the microbes grew when placed next to each other. After submission of the lab report, students were given a survey about the agar art learning experience. 76 students were surveyed. 97% enjoyed the lab experience, 93% said they felt this was a fun way to incorporate some of the things they learned during the semester into an enjoyable lab experience and 93% also said that the agar art improved practical laboratory skills (e.g., aseptic technique, microscopy, culturing). Finally, 92% stated that agar art was a valuable experience to learning microbiology. In sum, agar art is not only fun, but it can also be used as an important learning tool for microbiology.