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STC Unit Descriptions
Ecosystems
ISBN 0-89278-948-4
Subject: Environmental interrelationships
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Materials
included in the Ecosystems unit kit.
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Students begin the unit by setting up a terrarium in which they grow
grass, mustard, and alfalfa plants. They then add crickets and isopods. They also set up
an aquarium into which they introduce snails, guppies, elodea, algae, and duckweed. By
connecting the terrarium and aquarium bottles to create an “ecocolumn,” students
are able to observe the relationship between the two environments and the organisms living
within them. Using test ecocolumns that contain only plants, students simulate the effects
of pollutants—such as road salt, fertilizer, and acid rain—on an environment.
Students then use a food chain wheel to make inferences about the effects these pollutants
might have on their own miniature ecosystems. Later, students read about, explore, and
discuss the Chesapeake Bay as a model ecosystem. They analyze this ecosystem from the
viewpoint of various users—waterman, dairy farmer, land developer, recreational
boater, and resident—and present their findings to the class. This activity enables
students to appreciate the trade-offs that must be made to reach mutually acceptable
solutions to environmental problems.
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