Resources for Educators: The Secret World Inside You

Part of the The Secret World Inside You exhibition.

Collage with four colorful renderings of different types of bacteria of varying shapes beside a human figure icon filled with capsule shapes.
Your body is teeming with trillions of bacteria, viruses, and other microbes — and that's a good thing! This amazing universe makes up the human microbiome. 

Educator's Guide

Cover of Educator's Guide titled "The Secret World Inside You" featuring representative images of bacteria and stylized human figure.

The Secret World Inside You Educator's Guide

Get an advance look at the exhibition's major themes and what your class will encounter. This six-page guide for K-12 educators includes a Map of the Exhibition, Essential Questions (important background content), Teaching in the Exhibition (self-guided explorations), Come Prepared Checklist, Correlation to Standards, and Glossary.

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Science & Literacy Activities

These activities, which are aligned to the Common Core State Standards (CCSS) for English Language Arts, introduce students to scientific knowledge and language related to life science. Students will read content-rich texts, visit The Secret World Inside You exhibition, and use what they have learned to complete a CCSS-aligned writing task. Please note: The activities below are aligned for science and literacy standards in the grade levels indicated. For other grades, choose the level closest to your students’ needs and make the appropriate adjustments.

Grade 3

The Secret World Inside You Elementary School Science & Literacy Activity (Grade 3)

Grades 4-5

The Secret World Inside You Elementary School Science & Literacy Activity (Grades 4-5)
StepReads for Grades 4-5

Body Buddies: The Microbes that Live In and On US

Grades 6-8

The Secret World Inside You Middle School Science & Literacy Activity (Grades 6-8)
StepRead for Grades 6-8

Human Microbiome: Your Body Is an Ecosystem

Grades 9-12

The Secret World Inside You High School Science & Literacy Activity (Grades 9-12)
StepReads for Grades 9-12

Human Microbiome: The Role of Microbes in Human Health

More Resources

Video Ask a Scientist About Microbes In these videos, microbiologist Susan Perkins answers kids’ questions about microbes. Game Bacteria in the Cafeteria Game Some microbes make us sick. Most are helpful. Play this game to find out more about them. Game + Video Gutsy: The Gut Microbiome Card Game Find out more about the bacteria that live in our digestive system. Be the first to diversify their gut microbiome and win! Game How Lou Got the Flu How can the influenza virus travel around the world? Find out in this quizzy story! Hands-on Make a Home for Microbes Get some mud and a few other ingredients to build an entire ecosystem for bacteria. Video Meet the OLogist: Susan Perkins Why does this scientist love studying tiny living things called microbes? Watch these videos to find out! Reading Tree of Life Explore this family tree of living things on Earth. Game What Do You Know About Life on Earth? Test your knowledge about the major groups of life on Earth.

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The Microbiome of Your Skin Building Your Microbiome from Birth The Microbiome of Your Gut