Sunday, March 23, 2014

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

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

Regarding the 4/4 post. What is the cost per pupil when there are two classes with only 18 kids? Would be more cost efficient for 18 kids to be in one class.

Dr. Anthony Petrosino said...

Not sure I know what you are talking about. Sorry.