Look out, germs — the students of Derby’s Irving School are looking out for you.
Last month a group of eight scientists from Unilever, a global consumer goods company with offices in Trumbull, visited the school to demonstrate proper hand-washing techniques.
Oct. 15 was Global Handwashing Day, created in 2008 to increase awareness about the importance of washing hands with soap.
While at the school, the scientists gave kids an eye-opening demonstration.
They used a white powder and an ultraviolet light to demonstrate how germs are spread.
The germs were easily visible as the black light made them glow on students’ hands.
The students with powder on their hands were told to give a high five to a friend in the audience to spread the powder and germs.
The black light clearly demonstrated the transfer of germs from one child to another.
“There are germs everywhere, in your school, on the playground,” Robbie Betkoski, a microbiologist, said. “Most germs are not bad for you, but some are bad and can cause diseases.”
The scientists asked students when they should wash their hands.
“Before you eat! Before you play sports! After you use the bathroom!” were some of the responses yelled out.
Second grader Tre’vion Jackson said he enjoyed the demonstration.
“I thought it was good learning about germs and how to vaporize those germs,” Jackson said, adding that the program made him want to learn more.
Unilever engineer Pam Petro said good hand washing habits help to kill germs, which in turn will keep students healthier and reduce absenteeism at school.
“We teach them to wash their hands at least five times a day,” she said.
Fifth grader Abby Kiraly said the soap they used smelled good and the scientists who visited were nice.
Two special sinks used in the demonstration were loaned to the school by David Chiaraluce.
