Saving the Biosphere Unit

Summary

Biosphere 3, built on Mars as a self-sustaining ecosystem to support human, animal, and plant life, is failing. Driven by the need to fix the biosphere, student engineering teams will build a model replica of Biosphere 3, study it as it fails, and then design ways to fix the model and Biosphere 3. This unit involves extensive inquiry based, hands on activities to improve student learning of photosynthesis, soil respiration, the oxygen cycle and the water cycle. Students conduct experiments, use sensor technology to measure carbon dioxide levels, analyze data, and design solutions.

Lessons	Time Required (min)
The Failing Biosphere*	90
What does the data tell us?	45
Where did the water go?	45
Photosynthesis	90
Soil Respiration and the Oxygen Cycle	45
Design Time	45
The Ultimate Test**	45

* Students collect data for 15 minutes each day, for two weeks
** Optional

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