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Build a Glowing Mini Ecosystem: National Geographic Light-Up Terrarium Lesson 10

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Lesson Plan • Life Science • Ecosystems

Lesson 10: Build & Observe a Mini Ecosystem with the National Geographic Light-Up Terrarium

Design a living terrarium habitat with real plants, gemstones, and dino figures. Learn about producers, decomposers, and daily life-cycle care under day/night LED lighting.

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National Geographic Light Up Terrarium Kit for Kids

National Geographic Light-Up Terrarium Kit (Dino Habitat)

All-in-one kit to layer substrate, plant seeds, add decorations, and observe growth with a built-in LED lid for day/night cycles.

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Download PDF Lesson Plan

(Print-ready build guide, growth log sheets, and care checklist.)

Learning Objectives

  • Explain the roles of producers, consumers, and decomposers in a simple ecosystem.
  • Assemble a terrarium using layered substrate and plant seeds; document growth over time.
  • Track variables like light exposure and moisture; make predictions and adjust care.
  • Use observation journals to record changes with drawings, measurements, and new questions.

Materials Needed

  • National Geographic Light-Up Terrarium Kit (with LED lid)
  • Clean water mister or dropper; paper towels
  • Optional: small magnifier, ruler, extra seeds or moss
  • Printable growth log (from PDF) or a notebook

Preparation & Setup (5–10 min)

  1. Review the kit’s step-by-step layering guide and identify each component (rocks, soil, seeds, décor).
  2. Pre-teach keywords: germination, condensation, photosynthesis, humidity.
  3. Choose a display spot with indirect light and an outlet or batteries for the LED lid.

Lesson Steps (35–55 min + ongoing care)

  1. Hook: Ask, “What do plants need to survive?” Brainstorm sunlight, water, air, and space.
  2. Layer the Habitat: Add drainage rocks, soil, and seeds as directed. Place gemstones and dino figures last.
  3. First Watering: Mist lightly until soil is moist but not soggy. Close the lid and switch on the LED (day mode).
  4. Baseline Data: Record date, seed type, initial soil level, and a sketch/photo of the setup.
  5. Care Routine (Daily/Every Other Day): Check condensation and soil moisture; rotate LED day/night. Add 2–5 mists if dry.
  6. Weekly Check-In: Measure tallest sprout and count leaves. Note color, mold, or condensation patterns; adjust light and water.

Data & Assessment

  • Growth log entries: date, height (cm), leaf count, observations, and care notes.
  • Exit ticket: “One change I noticed… One adjustment I’ll try next…”
  • Rubric (1–4): consistency of care, accuracy of measurements, reflection quality, vocabulary use.

Discussion & Reflection

  • How does the terrarium recycle water (evaporation → condensation → drip)?
  • What evidence shows your plants are photosynthesizing?
  • How did light schedule or watering changes affect growth?

Extensions & Cross-Subject Links

  • Math: Graph height vs. days; compare two terrariums with different light times.
  • ELA: Write a “plant diary” entry from the seed’s perspective.
  • Art: Create labeled botanical sketches of sprout stages.
  • Science: Try a control terrarium without LED use (near a window) and compare.

Parent & Teacher Tips

  • Less is more with water—aim for gentle misting and steady humidity.
  • Rotate the terrarium a quarter-turn weekly to encourage even growth.
  • If mold appears, increase airflow briefly, reduce watering, and remove affected debris.

Wrap-Up

Terrariums turn life science into a daily habit of observation. With simple care and consistent journaling, learners see ecosystems in action—seed to sprout to thriving mini-forest.

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