3.1.

4 Lab: Investigate the Water Cycle Dry Lab

Earth Science Sem 1 Name:
Date:

In this investigation, you will use a soda bottle to create a simple terrarium. You will
then observe the cycles that occur in your mini world and record your observations.
Finally, you will cause a change in the environment and observe how the cycles and
organisms respond.

Be sure to:

Follow safe practices during this investigation.

Leave plenty of time to do this investigation, as it takes between six and 13 days.

Be careful when using scissors.

Wear gloves when collecting small invertebrates, and collect only the animals
listed in the procedure unless you have an adult present. AVOID COLLECTING
CENTIPEDES, SCORPIONS, SPIDERS, BEETLES, CATERPILLARS, BUTTERFLIES,
ANTS, AND SNAILS. NEVER COLLECT VERTEBRATES.

Materials

NOTE: You do not need these materials in order to complete the dry lab.

A clear 2- or 3-liter plastic soda bottle

Marker

Scissors

Gravel, pebbles, or small stones

Potting soil or dirt from a yard or field

3.1.4 Lab: Investigate the Water Cycle 1/11

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 Activated charcoal*

Sphagnum moss*

Small plants or seeds (e.g., beans, peas, radishes, wheat grass, marigolds,
zinnias)

Water

Gloves

Small invertebrates (e.g., pill bugs, ladybugs, crickets, flies, earthworms,

mealworms, etc.)

Scrap paper
*Optional materials

Procedure

Part 1: Create a Terrarium

To observe evidence of the cycling of matter, prepare the following experimental

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setup.

1. Remove the label from a 2- or 3-liter plastic bottle and wash it. Be sure to rinse it
very well so that no soap residue remains. Let the bottle dry.

2. Use a marker to draw a line around the bottle about one-third of the way up
from the bottom.

3. Use scissors to cut along the line you drew on the bottle. To start the cut, first
poke a hole in the bottle at some point on the line.

4. Place about 2 inches of gravel or pebbles in the bottom of the bottle. This layer
will be a place for excess water to collect and will keep the soil from getting too
wet. (Optional: To prolong the life of your terrarium, sprinkle some activated
charcoal and moss on top of the gravel or pebbles.)

5. Fill the remaining space in the bottom of the bottle with potting soil or dirt.
Gently press down on the soil with a gloved hand until the surface of the soil is
about 1 inch below the rim.

6. Add plants to the terrarium.

a. If you are using seeds, use your pinkie finger to make 8 to 10 small
depressions, about 0.5 inch deep, in the soil. Place 1 or 2 seeds in each
hole and cover them with soil.

b. If you are using live plants, remove 2 or 3 small individuals from their
containers. Be sure to keep the root ball intact, and then plant them in the
soil.

7. Pour no more than 1 cup of tap water onto the soil. The soil should be moist
but not completely soaked. Just a little bit of water should pass through to the
pebbles.

8. Put the bottle back together by sliding the top part onto the bottom part,
keeping the top on the outside. This may require you to squeeze the rim of the
bottom section so the top section will fit around it.

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 9. Place the cap on the terrarium if it is not on already. Your setup should look like
this:

10. Place your terrarium next to a window where it will receive plenty of natural
sunlight. Do not place the terrarium outdoors. Observe the terrarium for 4
consecutive days after the seeds begin to sprout. If you start with live plants,
you can begin observations the next day. Make observations first thing in the
morning and at the same time each afternoon. Pay particular attention to where
water can be observed and how much water there is in the pebbles or on the
sides at the top of the terrarium.

Data for Part 1: Create a Terrarium (5 points)

Describe the terrarium, including what was put in it and where those materials came
from.

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Data Table for Initial Observations
Sample data:

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 Day Morning: General Morning: Afternoon: Afternoon:
observations Observations of General Observations of
water observations water

1 Seeds are planted; The soil looks Still no sign of The soil looks
no growth yet moist; some water growth moist below
is in the gravel surface; less
layer; no water is water in gravel;
on the sides of the some water on
bottle sides of the bott

2 Seeds appear to More water on the Seedlings are Larger drops of

be sprouting and sides of the bottle; getting bigger and water on the sid
breaking through still some in the turning green of the upper par
the soil; seedlings gravel layer of the bottle; ver
are light in color little in the botto

3 Seedlings are Water drops on The leaves on the Large drops of

bigger and have the sides of the seedlings are water on the sid
some leaves; all bottle are smaller bigger than they of the upper par
the leaves are in the morning; were in the of the bottle;
dark green soil layer still morning some drops
looks damp running down th
side

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 4 Seedlings grew Less water is on A new leaf is Large drops of
more overnight; the sides of bottle; opening on some water on the sid
the first two droplets are small of the seedlings; of the upper par
leaves that came again first two leaves of the bottle;
out are turning are still yellow some drops
yellow and drooping running down th
side

Part 2: Change the Terrarium

11. Collect or obtain at least 6 small living animals, such as pill bugs, crickets, flies,
or earthworms. Use rubber gloves to pick up the animals. Ask an adult if you
are not sure which animals are O.K. to use. DO NOT COLLECT CENTIPEDES,
SPIDERS, SCORPIONS, BEETLES, CATERPILLARS, BUTTERFLIES, ANTS, OR
SNAILS. DO NOT USE ANY VERTEBRATES, SUCH AS LIZARDS OR FROGS.

12. Remove the cap on your terrarium, and carefully place the small animals inside.

13. Replace the cap on the terrarium, and observe the terrarium for 3 more days, as
you did in Step 10.

Data for Part 2: Change the Terrarium (5 points)

Describe the additions to the terrarium. Be sure to describe in detail the organisms
that were put in, where those organisms came from, and what they did when they
were put into the terrarium.

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Data Table for Further Observations
Sample data:

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 Day Morning: General Morning: Afternoon: Afternoon:
observations Observations of General Observations o
water observations water

1 Bugs have been Very little water on The bugs are Water droplets
added to the the sides of the moving around; all over the side
terrarium; plants bottle; soil looks plants are no of the bottle; lar
are still getting drier longer wilted drops of water
bigger but might again running
be a bit wilted down the sides

2 Bugs are moving Sides of the bottle Bugs are moving Water droplets
around, some on are covered by on plants and the all over the side
plants and others water droplets; a soil; plants are of the bottle; lar
on the soil; plants couple are large bigger; three drops of water
are bigger; two enough to roll leaves look again running
leaves look down the sides; partially eaten; down the sides;
partially eaten soil is moist one leaf is turning water in the gra
yellow

3 Bugs are moving Sides of the bottle Most bugs are still Sides of the bot
on the plants and are covered by moving on plants are covered by
soil; plants have water droplets; a and the soil, but water and many
new leaves; couple are large two look dead; five large drops are
another leaf enough to roll leaves look rolling down the
turned yellow; partially eaten; sides; air looks

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 more leaves look down the sides; first two leaves kind of foggy; s
partially eaten soil looks moist have fallen off looks moist
some plants

Analyze Data and Draw Conclusions (40 points)

1. Water Cycle (15 points)

a. How was the water cycle demonstrated in the terrarium after the plants
sprouted? (3 points)

b. Draw a diagram of the water cycle in a terrarium, including labels. (12 points)

2. Did the amount of water that condensed at the top of the terrarium change as the
plants sprouted and grew? Describe what you observed, using data from your

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experiment. Why do you think this happened? (15 points)

3. Did adding animals change the cycling of water in your terrarium? Describe what
you observed, using data from your experiment. If there were changes, why do you
think they occurred? If no changes occurred, why do you think there were none? (10
points)

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