Design Challenge: Ecospheres
In this Design Challenge: Ecospheres we will explore the complex relationships between atoms, molecules, cycles, solutions, pressure, location in the environment, and the electrical potential that unites them all.
In this challenge we will create the attributes and conditions required for each NHCOPS element to cycle through our environment. We will discover synergies and how these systems work together to create conditions we need for life on this planet.
Each team will get a research station, clipboards, pens, posterboard and markers. The deliverables are listed under each section.
The six bsic biologic elements
Running This Design Challenge (90 Minutes)
Atmosphere
Allow a team of kids 45 minutes to access a research station and the weather station at Mezzacello Urban Farm. Questions to ask and answer:
How do we check the atmosphere for pressure?
What do we call atmospheric pressure? Where do we find that on a weather station?
Draw the way the earth creates pressure in the atmosphere.
Explore the role of gradients and vectors in this area of our planet.
Describe the way the five cycles (Carbon, Oxygen, Nitrogen, Water, and weather) that bring life exist in our atmosphere and have kids diagram them.
Deliverable: An Atmosphere research poster
Ground (Hydrosphere)
Allow a team of kids 45 minutes to access a research station and the weather station at Mezzacello Urban Farm. Questions to ask and answer:
Why are dirt and soil so important on this planet?
Where does DIRT come from? What makes SOIL special?
Define the four natural ecology cycles (Carbon, Oxygen, Nitrogen, Water) that interact with the ground layer.
Have kids explain ground as an interface, a surface, and a covering.
Deliverable: A series of Ground Haikus that address and integrate the three faces of the ground layer creatively
SubSurface (Pedosphere)
Allow a team of kids 45 minutes to access a research station, the garden beds, the pond, and the weather station at Mezzacello Urban Farm. Questions to ask and answer:
What are roots?
What do roots breathe?
What do roots eat?
How do roots use water?
What role does the microrhyzome play?
How do root systems interact with all six of the major ecological NHCOPS cycles (Carbon, Oxygen, Nitrogen, Water, and Phosphorus and Sulphur)
Deliverable: Create a neon art glo root network diagram
Presentation
Have each team present their deliverable on a video and give a 30-60 second breakdown on what they learned and created. Have them write the script, film it, edit it and upload it to youTube.
