Teaching complex science topics can sometimes feel like asking students to imagine the abstract. That’s why hands-on labs like the Bio-Rad BacTalk Cell Signaling Kit can be such game changers. Instead of just learning how biological systems work, students get to experiment, investigate, and watch their results shine in real time. We asked AP Biology teacher Tiffany Jones, who has 15 years of experience teaching advanced life science courses, to try out the test kit with her high school students. Here’s what he had to say about bringing complex science ideas to life in his classroom with a kit.
What grade levels and subject areas do you think the Bio-Rad BacTalk Cell Signaling Kit is best suited for?
This kit works best for high school students. My students are in an AP level course, but the kit comes with a basic model and a more detailed model. With more guidance and a basic model, I think most high school science students could complete and enjoy this lab. For my AP Biology students, the detailed model, which required more thinking and advanced skills, was perfect.
Does this kit align with any specific standards or curriculum guidelines that you know of?
This kit addresses many scientific standards and guidelines including:
AP Levels: CED Topics 4.1 – 4.3
- 4.1: Cellular Communications
- 4.2: Introduction to Signal Transfer
- 4.3: Signal Modulation Methods
Scientific Practices
- 2.A Describe the characteristics of visual representations of biological concepts and processes.
- 2.B Describe the relationship between the features of biological models in both theoretical and applied contexts.
- 2.D Represent relationships between biological models, including mathematical models, diagrams, flowcharts, and systems.
- 3.A Find or ask an evaluable question based on an observation, data, or model.
- 3.B State the null hypothesis or predict the results of the experiment.
- 3.C Find test procedures that match the question.
- 3.D Propose new investigations based on experimental design or evidence.
- 6.A Make a scientific claim.
- 6.B Support a claim with evidence from biological principles, concepts, processes, and data.
- 6.C Provide reasoning to justify a claim by linking evidence to biological theory.
How did your students respond to the BacTalk Cell Signaling Kit?
Overall, students found the activity engaging, had easy-to-follow directions, and found it fun and exciting to see the bacteria light up. Many students commented on how helpful it was to visualize the process we just learned about in a flexible system. Some of my favorite things about students are:
- “It was fun and I actually understood the lab well enough that I was able to fully participate and learn something new.”
- “It was good to see things light up!”
- “The lab was a lot of fun to do and I loved how it worked, and the results were cool.”
How would you sum up your overall experience with the kit?
Trying out a new lab kit can feel intimidating, especially if it seems like there are a lot of preparation steps. Once I finished it, however, I realized that it was much more manageable than it initially seemed. Reviewing the Bio‑Rad PowerPoint ahead of time was very helpful in understanding the workflow.
My plates grew well overall, and I was even able to make an extra plate that showed strong light for the students to compare during Tasks 2 and 3. This actually made the conversation even better because everyone was looking at the samples in the same categories.
Overall, I liked this lab. It was really silly, like other Bio‑Rad labs I’ve worked in, and it sparked some great discussions as the students used their thinking about cellular communication. I would rate it a solid 9/10.
How easy was it to use and use the BacTalk Cell Signaling Kit in your classroom?
It was very easy for students to use—the instructions were straightforward, and they were able to follow the steps without a problem. The prep, however, felt overwhelming at first because there are several moving parts at the right time. But once everything was in order, it became more manageable.
The task itself was easy to accomplish. My students were just learning about cellular communication, so connecting their prior knowledge to the Lux router was smooth. They also had basic lab skills such as using micropipettes and handling bacterial plates, which helped the process go more smoothly.
What are the top two features that you liked most about the Bio-Rad BacTalk Cell Signaling Kit?
In my opinion, the two best aspects of this kit were the organization and the outcome.
The organization of the lab components and the rigor of the lab make it almost impossible for students to mess it up. I like Bio-Rad kits because I don’t often say, “What was supposed to happen was … but not everything in science always works.” Students are able to follow directions using visual and visual cues. In my 14 lab groups, everyone got the right data. Some are brighter or better polished, but all have data, which is a win in my book.
It is difficult to visualize processes that are not visible or processes that cannot be observed. This lab allows students to visualize cellular communications and determine unknown information, which adds a framework for student investigation. Plus, who doesn’t love a lab that gets something shiny?
What makes the Bio-Rad BacTalk Cell Signaling Kit special or different compared to other scientific tests/kits you’ve used?
The customer service was great! I asked a question and got a response within 24 hours and was given additional resources (like a PPT, which should be available to teachers when they get their kit). The scientist helped me develop my timeline to make sure we were able to make this lab work seamlessly.
How will this kit save you time or make teaching easier?
The Bio-Rad BacTalk Cell Signaling Kit made teaching easier because my students could visualize what we had learned, which was now tangible. They saw that some bacteria that didn’t glow before were now able to glow, and see which bacteria had each mutation based on their test results. Also, having a reliable lab makes teaching easier as you don’t waste valuable time in preparation and in class in an inactive lab. And students can see the process designed to test.
Watch Tiffany’s video review:
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