Ecosystem in a Bottle Lesson - TerrAqua Investigation Column

Ecosystems in a Bottle

The following is a activity conducted with pre-service teachers in Elementary Science. The activity revolves around the creating and subsequent monitoring of a dual ecosystem. This activity has been very successful in class and has provided many opportunities to point out to pre-service teachers issues of inquiry, observation, data recording, interdependence, sustainability, photosynthesis, water cycle, and other science process and content areas. 

As an additional activity students have been asked to keep a blog on their weekly observations. These blogs have allowed for multimedia, descriptions, drawings, and opportunities to share their observations with colleagues, practicing teachers, mentors, students, and to be a part of their permanent "teaching portfolio." 

Topic: Ecosystem Dynamics 

Learning Objective: Students experience the fragile balance of an ecosystem, how different components interact, and how different inputs impact the system. 

Exploration Phase: 

Hands-on Activity: Build a TerrAqua investigation column, fill it with soil, plants and water, and observe and record changes over time (Materials and procedure below). 

Exploration through Media: Video 

Introduction the Ecosystem Services Review: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HbU41UhnWN8 

Concept Development Phase: Concepts to be taught: Ecosystem dynamics, systems thinking, human impacts on ecosystems, biodiversity, energy flow in an ecosystem, pollution and waste, recycling/reuse, and ecosystem services. 

Procedures to be taught: Inquiry, experimental design, monitoring a dynamic system through careful observation, and detailed data recording 

Blogs on the Dual Ecosystems
http://ecosysteminabottle.weebly.com  (DC and NM )

http://closedecosystemanjm.blogspot.com (JM, AS, NA, MB) 

http://squishy-ecoworld.tumblr.com (Ana, Marysela and Claudia) 

http://bobandfelix-ecosystem.tumblr.com (AH, Holy)

http://bcjecosystems.blogspot.com/ (BG)

http://spring2014ecosystem.blogspot.com (KI, Melissa)



LINK TO ACTIVITY: CLICK HERE