Abstract: A method for prolonging the shelf life of biological growth media provides a device with a tray for growing and observing a microbiological culture. The device includes a substrate with a well to provide a containment and barrier for the biological growth medium to grow an organism in the tray and a lid that is sealable and resealable around the substrate periphery. The lid includes an interior side that sheets out upon condensation of vapor and faces the growth medium. A barrier layer is positioned over the well. The biological growth media is introduced in the well and the lid around the substrate periphery is sealed.