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.

Abstract: A biological culture growth and observation system provides for the growth of a biological sample in a growth medium, and the observation of the grown sample (organism) through a microscope objective once growth is sufficient as to permit discrimination of the biological sample. Observation and growth is achieved in a single device. The system includes a tray with a top, and a sealable section on the top. Included within the tray is a depression, or well, that receives the growth medium to grow the biological organism in the well. A lid is sealable and resealable around the sealable section on the top of the tray. An interior side of the lid, that faces the growth medium, does not fog up in the presence of the growth medium. Optionally included is a barrier layer that is positioned over the well. The barrier layer minimizes evaporation from the growth medium and permits the biological culture growth and observation system to have a long shelf life.