Environmental Chamber (Hernandez Scipio)

Author

Gloria Hernandez Scipio

Principles

Precisely monitor the environment of your plants, animals, and cultures for a variety of experiments, even when class is not in session. Round-the-clock control lets you experiment with a variety of factors that affect organisms, such as lighting, either for photosynthesis or to observe light/color balances; complete darkness using the included opaque blackout panel; and temperature and moisture, for hydroponic studies. Constructed of steel with a sliding glass door for observation without disturbing the environment, it includes a chamber with two electrical outlets, removable plastic tray, two plastic plant trays, blackout panel, and an environmental studies manual. Florescent and incandescent light fixtures are not included. Temperature range is ambient to 36°C. Capacity: 14 cu. ft. Size: 52"L x 18 1/2"W x 38"H.

Variety of studies possible:

•Variation of light color balance

•Hydroponic growth

•Photoperiodism

•Aquatic or marine life

•Photosynthesis

•Comparative growth experiments

•Experiments performed in darkness

Standards

MS-LS2-1.

MS-LS2-4.

MS-LS2-5.

Analyze and interpret data to provide evidence for the effects of resource availability on organisms and populations of organisms in an ecosystem. [Clarification Statement: Emphasis is on cause and effect relationships between resources and growth of individual organisms and the numbers of organisms in ecosystems during periods of abundant and scarce resources.]

Construct an argument supported by empirical evidence that changes to physical or biological components of an ecosystem affect populations. [Clarification Statement: Emphasis is on recognizing patterns in data and making warranted inferences about changes in populations, and on evaluating empirical evidence supporting arguments about changes to ecosystems.]

Evaluate competing design solutions for maintaining biodiversity and ecosystem services.* [Clarification Statement: Examples of ecosystem services could include water purification, nutrient recycling, and prevention of soil erosion. Examples of design solution constraints could include scientific, economic, and social considerations.]

Analyzing and Interpreting Data

Analyzing data in 6–8 builds on K–5 experiences and progresses to extending quantitative analysis to investigations, distinguishing between correlation and causation, and basic statistical techniques of data and error analysis.

  • Analyze and interpret data to provide evidence for phenomena. (MS-LS2-1)

Constructing Explanations and Designing Solutions

Constructing explanations and designing solutions in 6–8 builds on K–5 experiences and progresses to include constructing explanations and designing solutions supported by multiple sources of evidence consistent with scientific ideas, principles, and theories.

Engaging in Argument from Evidence

Engaging in argument from evidence in 6–8 builds on K–5 experiences and progresses to constructing a convincing argument that supports or refutes claims for either explanations or solutions about the natural and designed world(s).

Materials needed

  • Environmental Chamber

  • Plants

  • Animals

Procedure

Example 1:

  1. Come up with a testable question, for example, in what environment does a plant grow best?

  2. Research different types of environments.

  3. Change the settings for one type of environment.

  4. Place a plant in the chamber and allow it to sit in the chamber for 3 weeks.

  5. Record growth and other observations.

  6. Change the environment.

  7. Place the same type of plant, at the same stage as the previous plant, into the chamber

  8. Let sit for 3 weeks

  9. record any observations.

Example 2:

How does pH affect the growth of alfalfa plants?

1.) Have 5 small pots

2.) Treat 4 of the pots with different pH solutions.

3.) Place alfalfa seed into each pot.

4.) Set to specific temperature and environmental condition.

5.) Observe growth over 3 weeks.

6.) Repeat in different environmental conditions.

Explanation

This equipment allows the class to come up with numerous questions of how the environment can affect the growth/activity/ etc of plants and animals. Plants and animals live in certain types of environments. With this environmental chamber, students will be able to create their own explanations as to how the environment affect the plant and animals.

Questions

  1. How did the temperature affect the plant/Animal?

  2. What would happen if we changed the climate to mirror the climate in the tropics. Will this particular plant survive in that environment?

  3. In what type of temperature does the animal have the most activity?

Everyday examples of the principles illustrated

The earth is made up of all different types of ecosystems. Each ecosystem has different types of plants and animals living in them. Using the environmental chamber, we can easily manipulate the environment and test out some questions such as the best temperature a plant can grow in, or does humidity affect the growth of a plant. Does temperature affect the activity of a small animal or insect. Etc.

Photos

Movies