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WINTERSVILLE - Plenty of strange sounds were coming from the second-grade classrooms at Wintersville Elementary School recently when the Indian Creek District held its annual hardwashing experiment.

There were a few "oohs," a couple of "aahs," and frequent exclamations of "that's gross" while the experiment was held.

The second-graders got a lesson on the importance of hand washing, thanks to the services of Jill Wickham, Indian Creek School District nurse, and students from the allied health program at the Jefferson County Joint Vocational School.

Wickham said she talked to the pupils early in the school week and actually removed germs from their hands.

"Trinity Medical Center was kind enough to donate Auger plates for each pupil, and after the talk, we rubbed three of their fingers on the plate," she said. "We then put the plates in a warm, dark area for the germs to grow."

After two days, Wickham returned to each classroom to give the pupils an up-close-and-personal view of the germs things growing on their hands.

"When we get to show the kids the actual germs, it makes them more aware of the need to keep their hands clean," she noted.

And from the sounds echoing from the classrooms, the pupils got the message.

When asked what they had learned, several yelled, "that you always have to wash your hands."

According to Wickham, the pupils received some special gifts from the JVS students involved.

"The students from the JVS brought coloring books and glow sticks and also gave the pupils a lesson on the correct way to wash their hands," she said.

In the end, the pupils and the teachers benefited from the event, according to officials.

"The teachers really appreciate this lesson because it keeps the pupils in their rooms safe and healthy," Wickham said. "When the students are taught lessons like these at a young age, they are more likely to stick with them throughout their lives. These lessons are also reinforced throughout the school year at Indian Creek."

The event, which is in its ninth year, also was offered to fourth- and seventh-grade pupils.

(Looman can be contacted at jlooman@heraldstaronline.com.)