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Purpose:
To create a closed ecosystem in a jar that can keep a cherry shrimp alive and thriving.
Materials:
Large, smooth walled, glass jar without labels, with a lid.
Substrate (sand, rocks, mud, wood, shells, etc. etc.)
Water (pond water from a healthy still-water ecosystem)
Plants (aquatic, native species including microscopic algae)
Shrimp (cherry shrimp provided by Mr. J)
Procedure:
Build your ecosystem as instructed in class, using your materials plus shared materials from as many students as possible. (This increases biodiversity, especially at the microscopic level, which is very good for your ecosystem)
When stable, take your ecosystem home and place it in indirect sunlight (to avoid cooking your shrimp).
Take pictures regularly to be able to create a visual journal of the progress of your ecosystem throughout the year.
Record questions as they occur to you when you make observations.
Record all that you learn about the components and interactions within your ecosystem, and add it to your visual journal.
All pictures, observations, questions must be organized by date. I suggest once a week so that it becomes routine.
A website/blog is an easy way to do this project, but other ideas are acceptable. Just let me know what you are planning!
Evaluation:
Your mark will be based on several checks of your photo journal and learning during the year. See term one rubric below.
Google Sites
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