ACTIVITY - CREATE A BACTERIAL ECOSYSTEM
Home > Ocean Life and Ecosystems > Ocean Microbes > Create a Bacterial Ecosystem
Create a Bacterial Ecosystem - COSEE Coastal Trends 
Lesson PlanSummary
In this activity, students mix mud, water, a carbon source, and a sulfur source together in a clear bottle to create a stratified “column” of bacterial communities. Activity requires time to set up in the classroom as well as periodic observations as the "column" stabilizes (4-6 weeks)
Concept: Ocean microbes
Microbes are an important component of ocean life.
Microbes are an important component of ocean life.
National Science Education Standards
(click a standard to show activities that meet it)
K-12 Unifying Concepts and Processes
Systems, order, and organization
Evidence, models, and explanation
Constance, change, and measurement
9-12 A Science as Inquiry
Abilities necessary to do scientific inquiry
Understandings about scientific inquiry
9-12 B Physical Science
Chemical reactions
9-12 C Life Science
The cell
Interdependence of organisms
Matter, energy, and organization in living systems
Behavior of organisms
Ocean Literacy Essential Principles (PDF booklet): 5. The ocean supports a great diversity of life and ecosystems (concept b)
Life on an Ocean Planet text reference (book link): Chapter 5 A Survey of Life in the Sea 5:16-20
(click a standard to show activities that meet it)
K-12 Unifying Concepts and Processes
Systems, order, and organization
Evidence, models, and explanation
Constance, change, and measurement
9-12 A Science as Inquiry
Abilities necessary to do scientific inquiry
Understandings about scientific inquiry
9-12 B Physical Science
Chemical reactions
9-12 C Life Science
The cell
Interdependence of organisms
Matter, energy, and organization in living systems
Behavior of organisms
Ocean Literacy Essential Principles (PDF booklet): 5. The ocean supports a great diversity of life and ecosystems (concept b)
Life on an Ocean Planet text reference (book link): Chapter 5 A Survey of Life in the Sea 5:16-20
45 mins
