Lab 3: Meet The Pioneers (building Organic Plant Matter)
Objective: Before the next phase of this project starts it is important for teachers to look at each of the jars that the students have created to see how well students have developed primitive soil up to this point. Through the teacher's observation, they will be able to decide if the students are indeed ready to move on to this section or if it is necessary to further augment the primitive soil. The largest question that needs to be answered by the observation will be: is the soil too wet, is there no biological growth to assist with bacterial growth. As many plants can grow hydroponically and initial growth requires little environmental import from the soil finding ways to move forward would be best. Students will utilize "pioneer species" to build the first layer of organic plant carbon in the fledgling Martian soil. The students will have examined many different pioneer species and how they establish environments on earth. For the purposes of my lab, I will be using alfalfa as it is easy to acquire though other species of plants could be substituted. If the initial plant failed to germinate it is possible to replant or change what type of seeds you are using to create a more dynamic experiment.
- Oklahoma Standard: MS.ETS1.4 (Develop a model for iterative testing and modification).
- Procedure:
- Repeat Cautions given for the experiment: each team will need to be careful to minimize the number of contaminants introduced to their jars throughout this year long experiment. - Again, providing an opportunity to talk to students about contamination and vectors.
- Pioneer Growth: Students will introduce Alfalfa (Medicago sativa) to their jar, because it is capable of growing in nutrient-poor environments. I will steer students to this crop as the one to be planted. Students using best practices to keep a sanitary environment will add the seeds, reseal the jar and shake the jar to bury the seeds in the soil.
- Monitoring and logging: students will continue to log data through observation and weighing their jars. The expectation is the seeds will germinate and grow if this is not the case reseeding may be necessary.
- Jar reaches maximum density: as growth in the students’ jar becomes prolific some biomaterial will need to be removed. Students will use scissors or simply pull out the plants leaving the soil behind. All plant matter removed from the jar should be placed in a paper bag and allowed to dry out.
- Biofertilizer Production: Once harvested and the alfalfa has dried it crushed into a powder. The next time that the jar is full and needs to be harvested the powdered plant matter should be reintroduced to the environment.
- Scientific Inquiry:
- Why does alfalfa-treated soil boost the growth of food crops compared to untreated regolith?
- What possible contamination vectors were introduced in this part of the experiment?
- Is the overall weight of the jar increasing? Did you have to re feed your jar or not if so why?
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