How to Make a Biosphere in a Jar
A biosphere in a jar is a great way to teach kids about the environment and how living things interact with their surroundings. You can make your biosphere in a jar at home with a few simple supplies. In this blog post, we’ll show you how to make a biosphere in a jar and explain the basics of how it works.
Making a biosphere in a jar is a great way to teach students about the ecology of an ecosystem. You can use any container to make your biosphere, but we find that using a mason jar works best. Keep reading for instructions on how to create your mini-ecosystem!
8 Ways on How to Make a Biosphere in a Jar
1. Soil and Plant Seeds
This is a great way to create your own Biosphere in a jar. First, collect some dirt and small plants from outside. You can use seeds or plant clippings that you have already grown. Put about half an inch of soil on the bottom of your mason jar. Add some water to the jar, screw on the lid, and place it in a sunny spot. In no time, you will have your own little ecosystem!
2. Aquatic Biosphere
You will need some water, gravel, and a small aquarium plant. The aquarium plant can be either plastic or live. First, fill your jar with enough water to cover the gravel, then add the gravel and plant.
3. Terrarium Biosphere
You will need some small rocks, activated charcoal (use a small bag or a piece of an old briquette), and potting soil. Put a layer of rocks in the bottom of your jar, then add a layer of charcoal. Add enough soil to cover the charcoal, then plant your plants.
4. Marine Biosphere
This one is a little more complicated, but it can be done. You will need some live marine invertebrates (such as sea anemones, starfish, or snails), a small container of salt water, and an air pump with tubing. Fill your jar with enough water to cover the invertebrates, then add the invertebrates and saltwater. Seal up the jar and attach the air pump to the tubing.
This one is a little more complicated, but it can be done. You will need some live marine invertebrates (such as sea anemones, starfish, or snails), a small container of salt water, and an air pump with tubing. Fill your jar with enough water to cover the invertebrates, then add the invertebrates and saltwater. Seal up the jar and attach the air pump to the tubing. The air pump will provide aeration for the invertebrates.
5. Insect Biosphere
To make your own ocean in a jar, you will need a small container with a tight-fitting lid, some soil, some leaves, and a small container of fresh water. Put your saltwater and your jar in an area with about the same temperature as the ocean (around 69-75 degrees Fahrenheit). When you first put them there, check on them every so often to ensure they are not overheating or getting too much sunlight.
6. Labeled Time Capsule
This is a biosphere that is meant to be opened at a specific time in the future. It can be as simple as a mason jar with some dirt and a plant, or it can be more complicated with multiple layers of different environments. Make sure to add a note specifying when the capsule should be opened.
7. Closed Ecosystem
This is a biosphere that is meant to be self-sufficient. It will need a small container, some soil, some water, and some plant. The plant can be either an aquatic plant or a land plant. Add enough water to cover the bottom of the container, then add the soil and plant.
8. Desert Mountain Biome
For this project, you will need some sand (or salt if you can’t find sand), pebbles, charcoal, soil, and some desert plant. If you can’t find any desert plants, use whatever type of plant you think would survive in a desert environment.
Add enough water to cover the bottom of the jar, then add the sand (or salt). Put down a layer of charcoal, then another layer of sand or salt. You can either add the soil on top of that or wait until you have a taller jar. Add the plant, then add more sand or salt to cover the plant.
Conclusion
In the end, all you need to do is place a lid on top of your jar and give it a good shake. The biosphere will be shaken up so that oxygen can mix with water at the surface, giving life to organisms in this closed environment. Making an ecosystem in a jar is easy as long as you have patience and follow the steps mentioned on how to make a biosphere in a jar.
If you don’t want to wait for months or even years for your biosphere to thrive inside its enclosed space, then take some shortcuts by adding air stones instead of waiting through the natural process! With some time invested in crafting one of these biospheres, it will provide hours of fascinating exploration for children and adults alike. Happy exploring!
