Date: May 14, 1997

Subject(s):

• Science/Ecology

This activity is designed to make each student more aware of the components involved in an aquatic environment . By creating a habitat in the classroom and observing it over a period of six weeks will involve the help and effort of each student providing them with hands on learning experiences.

Goal:

Students will develop an understanding and gain knowledge about aquatic ecosystems.

The students will create a journal consisting of observation notes concerning their aquatic creatures and plants.

Students will list necessary items to complete an aquatic ecosystem.

Students will create and present there ecosystems to the class.

This activity will make the students aware of how important habitats are for certain species. By using hands-on activities, such as creating an aquatic ecosystem, they will observe and monitor the processes as they occur. You may use many other bottle biology experiments that will also engage the students actively as in a Terrarium, Decomposition of biodegradable products, an the aquatic ecosystems.

The students will:

Learn what components are necessary for an aquatic ecosystem.

Work together using group communication and social skills while creating their habitat.

5 or 6 two liter bottles of pop (empty), water, marker, scissors, tape, and a hole puncher.

Aquatic life (snails, guppies, plant life, and sand).

Fish food

****Group the students in groups of about three

2. Cut off the top of one bottle and the bottom of another.

3. Using the bottom piece, cut some holes in it for proper ventilation of air (this will be used as our lid).

4. Before adding the water, add about an inch or two of dirt or sand to give it a pond or lake environment (weed).

5. Add the plant life (elodea, and duckweed), but be sure to secure these plants in the sand and dirt so they won't fall.

6. Add the rest of the aquatic life: *one male and one femle  guppie *two snails 25 pieces of elodea

7. Secure the lid and put a piece of tape on the bottle with the group members names and have them make a team name as well.

8. Store in a safe place and check it twice a week noting any changes or differences that occur.

I will look at their aquatic ecosystem and discuss each groups notes and any questions they have.

*I will ask each group the following questions:

1. What happened to the elodea in the bottle?

2. What other changes have occurred in your ecosystems?

3. What could we do to make it a better ecosystem?

*I will ask them to relate the aquatic ecosystem to our environment in which we live to see if they can identify some components of our everyday needs (air, water, food shelter, family, friends, etc...).