Overview: FACTS Bioreactors are a form of lab equipment designed to affordably enable groups of students to investigate almost any kind of biological or ecological phenomenon in a controlled lab setting.
How it works: A FACTS Bioreactor has a few key components that enable its function. A 1000 ml Pyrex beaker serves as the base. The beaker is sealed with a cover containing a programmable heater, a thermometer, an airlock valve, rubber tubing and a syringe, and a port sealed with a rubber stopper. A magnetic stir bar allows for agitation and the port is compatible with Vernier probes.
What can I do with this? By having a temperature-controlled sealed interior, students can investigate cellular respiration, fermentation, eutrophication, basic ecology, climate change, and much more. Measurements can be taken visually, via a probe inserted into the port, by using the syringe to take samples, or by adding a reagent (such as KOH) to the airlock valve. Check out the User Manual for more information about each lab protocol.
How was this tool developed? The original "mini-fermentor" was developed at the US Department of Energy's Great Lakes Bioenergy Research Center laboratories on the University of Wisconsin - Madison campus. A smaller, more affordable version was developed at Waterford Union High School in collaboration with GLBRC staff and scientists. The latest version of this bioreactor was developed as an improvement to the Waterford Fermentor for use in the NSF-funded Future of Agriculture Curriculum for Teaching Sustainability research. The goal is to enable students to engage in authentic inquiry and guide them in developing model-based explanations about natural phenomena in a manner that reflects how actual scientists and engineers think and work.
How can I obtain these for my own classroom: you have two options. The first is to build them yourself! The latest version of these bioreactors was designed to be as simple to purchase and assemble as possible while being durable enough for long term classroom use. See the instructions below. The second option is to have them assembled for you for $65 per bioreactor (not including shipping and handling). To purchase pre-assembled bioreactors, please contact Craig Kohn at Michigan State University - kohncrai@msu.edu. Please allow up to 4 weeks for assembly and shipping (materials must be purchased at the time of order prior to assembly).
How can I build my own bioreactors? See the parts list below with links for purchasing each item. Once you have received your items, simply use a handheld drill to create openings in the beaker cover for the thermometer, tubing and syringe, heater, airlock, and rubber stopper. See the image below for the drill bit sizes necessary for each item. Once the holes are drilled, insert each item into the beaker cover. Use petroleum jelly for glass items such as the thermometer and heater (use extra caution when inserting to prevent these items from breaking! If the item does not insert well, drill the hole slightly larger). Add a magnetic stir bar to the beaker, insert the beaker cover, and your bioreactor is assembled!
FACTS Bioreactor Parts List (note: items were chosen for minimal price and easy accessibility; more affordable options may be available. If a URL link is broken, use the product number in parentheses to find the correct item using the company's search bar)
1000 ml Pyrex Beaker (SB42612M Nasco) - $10.35
#6 Solid Rubber Stopper (S08496M Nasco) - $0.61
Plastic Syringe (C15780(A)N Nasco) - $0.27
Thermometer (SB15198(X)M Nasco) - $3.50
Plastic Tubing (6") (SB07971M Nasco) - $0.13
Magnetic Stir Bar (SB07308M Nasco) - $4.95
Elite 6” mini thermostatic heater, 25-watt ( BB0002AQF84 Amazon) - $6.97
Airlock (841463 RiteBrew) - $0.79
Beaker Cover (Amazon) - $8.74
Optional: Tubing Clamp (59199US Plastic) - $0.16
TOTAL $36.47 (prices will vary)
Also Needed
Magentic Stir Station
Electric Drill
Drill Bits
Petroleum Jelly
How it works: A FACTS Bioreactor has a few key components that enable its function. A 1000 ml Pyrex beaker serves as the base. The beaker is sealed with a cover containing a programmable heater, a thermometer, an airlock valve, rubber tubing and a syringe, and a port sealed with a rubber stopper. A magnetic stir bar allows for agitation and the port is compatible with Vernier probes.
What can I do with this? By having a temperature-controlled sealed interior, students can investigate cellular respiration, fermentation, eutrophication, basic ecology, climate change, and much more. Measurements can be taken visually, via a probe inserted into the port, by using the syringe to take samples, or by adding a reagent (such as KOH) to the airlock valve. Check out the User Manual for more information about each lab protocol.
How was this tool developed? The original "mini-fermentor" was developed at the US Department of Energy's Great Lakes Bioenergy Research Center laboratories on the University of Wisconsin - Madison campus. A smaller, more affordable version was developed at Waterford Union High School in collaboration with GLBRC staff and scientists. The latest version of this bioreactor was developed as an improvement to the Waterford Fermentor for use in the NSF-funded Future of Agriculture Curriculum for Teaching Sustainability research. The goal is to enable students to engage in authentic inquiry and guide them in developing model-based explanations about natural phenomena in a manner that reflects how actual scientists and engineers think and work.
How can I obtain these for my own classroom: you have two options. The first is to build them yourself! The latest version of these bioreactors was designed to be as simple to purchase and assemble as possible while being durable enough for long term classroom use. See the instructions below. The second option is to have them assembled for you for $65 per bioreactor (not including shipping and handling). To purchase pre-assembled bioreactors, please contact Craig Kohn at Michigan State University - kohncrai@msu.edu. Please allow up to 4 weeks for assembly and shipping (materials must be purchased at the time of order prior to assembly).
How can I build my own bioreactors? See the parts list below with links for purchasing each item. Once you have received your items, simply use a handheld drill to create openings in the beaker cover for the thermometer, tubing and syringe, heater, airlock, and rubber stopper. See the image below for the drill bit sizes necessary for each item. Once the holes are drilled, insert each item into the beaker cover. Use petroleum jelly for glass items such as the thermometer and heater (use extra caution when inserting to prevent these items from breaking! If the item does not insert well, drill the hole slightly larger). Add a magnetic stir bar to the beaker, insert the beaker cover, and your bioreactor is assembled!
FACTS Bioreactor Parts List (note: items were chosen for minimal price and easy accessibility; more affordable options may be available. If a URL link is broken, use the product number in parentheses to find the correct item using the company's search bar)
1000 ml Pyrex Beaker (SB42612M Nasco) - $10.35
#6 Solid Rubber Stopper (S08496M Nasco) - $0.61
Plastic Syringe (C15780(A)N Nasco) - $0.27
Thermometer (SB15198(X)M Nasco) - $3.50
Plastic Tubing (6") (SB07971M Nasco) - $0.13
Magnetic Stir Bar (SB07308M Nasco) - $4.95
Elite 6” mini thermostatic heater, 25-watt ( BB0002AQF84 Amazon) - $6.97
Airlock (841463 RiteBrew) - $0.79
Beaker Cover (Amazon) - $8.74
Optional: Tubing Clamp (59199US Plastic) - $0.16
TOTAL $36.47 (prices will vary)
Also Needed
Magentic Stir Station
Electric Drill
Drill Bits
Petroleum Jelly