Biome in a Baggie

In this ZOOMSci video segment, a cast member of ZOOM creates a self-contained biome and explores evaporation, condensation and precipitation. By constructing and observing a simple biome over several days, students see how the needs of the plant are being met by the plant parts and the food, water, and air in the closed system that exists inside the baggie.  In the video segment, a student shows how to construct the biome and introduces the basic components of the water cycle, all of which students will observe in their own biome in a baggie over several days..  A background essay for the teacher, discussion questions, and links to standards are included. Teachers must register to use resources on teachersdomain.org, but registration is free and simple.

Standards & Objectives

Essential and guiding questions: 
  • Is this a good model of a biome?
  • What are its strengths? What are its weaknesses?

Lesson Variations

Blooms taxonomy level: 
Understanding

References

Contributors: