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How could we grow food on Mars?
Web of Life Unit | Performance Task

How could we grow food on Mars?

Web of Life Unit | Performance Task
Scroll for prep
# Unit Review: Anchor Phenomenon
  • How does energy flow within the Biosphere ecosystem?
  • How do nutrients, like carbon dioxide, flow within the Biosphere ecosystem?
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# Unit Review: Key Concepts
  • Living things get their energy through food chains.
  • Most of the matter that makes up plants comes from the air.
  • All food can be traced back to plants.
  • Decomposers break down dead things and recycle nutrients.
  • Organisms in an ecosystem depend on one another to cycle energy and nutrients.
  • All energy in an ecosystem first came from the Sun.
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# Unit Review: My Biosphere

If you haven't completed your final Biosphere model, now is the time to do so. We'll review what should be included in your ecosystem in the next few slides.

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# Unit Review: My Biosphere

There are many organisms you could have chosen for your Biosphere ecosystem! Living things depend on one another to stay alive and healthy. Check your Biosphere ecosystem to make sure:

Every consumer has something to eat

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# Unit Review: My Biosphere

When living things die, their nutrients need to be put back into the ecosystem. Make sure you have:

At least one decomposer

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# Unit Review: My Biosphere

Producers make their own food using energy from the sun. Consumers get their energy from eating producers and other consumers. Check your model for:

Producers

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# Unit Review: My Biosphere

Energy flows through an ecosystem. Everything depends on the sun as a source of energy. Check your model for:

A source of energy

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In today's activity, you will evaluate a proposal for an ecosystem inside a Mars habitat. Using what you learned while designing your own plan throughout the unit, you will decide if the proposed Mars ecosystem plan will keep humans alive.

We'll walk you through it, step by step.

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Black White Vector Illustration Engraving Pig by Image used under license from Shutterstock.com: DoubleBubble
Hand drawn chicken hen by Image used under license from Shutterstock.com: Ava Bitter
Hand drawn cow sketch by Image used under license from Shutterstock.com: Ava Bitter
Hand sketch head of goat by Image used under license from Shutterstock.com: Onot
Mushrooms on white background by Image used under license from Shutterstock.com: Merlinul
Wheat bread ears cereal crop sketch hand drawn vector illustration by Image used under license from Shutterstock.com: EngravingFactory

Grade 5

Ecosystems & The Food Web

Ecosystem Argument

5-PS3-1, 5-LS1-1, 5-LS2-1

Activity Prep

Print Prep

In the Performance Task, students evaluate a list of proposed organisms for a Mars habitat. They write an argument for or against the proposal as a good ecosystem. In Part 2, students make recommendations on how to improve the ecosystem.

Preview activity

Unit Review

30 mins

Grade 5

Ecosystems & The Food Web

Ecosystem Argument

5-PS3-1, 5-LS1-1, 5-LS2-1

Extend this lesson

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