During the month of March students in Samantha Soltysiak’s Pre-AP biology class were in charge of creating ecosystems out of plastic two liter bottles. These ecosystems were built in purpose to imitate real world ecosystems.

In groups, students worked together to build three layers of different ecosystems. The bottom layer was the aquatic layer where students were encouraged to keep their fish, snails and water plants. The middle layer was the decomposition layer where the groups brought in leaves, grass clippings and beetles. The final top layer was the terrestrial layer where they planted seeds to grow, worms and pill bugs.

“My favorite part was having the fish,” sophomore Mia Morrison said. “We had three fish. Two little ones and one bigger one.”

The biggest task of the students was to put an air tube through the aquatic layer for 5 min everyday to give oxygen to the fish and plants. They also fed and watered their ecosystems once a week. Students were most nervous to leave their ecosystems over break, but they were excited to see how much they had grown.

“I love most that the students get to generate their own projects that demonstrate their learning,” Soltysiak said. “It was cool to see how they put it all together.”

After coming back after spring break the students were excited to see how much their plants had grown and if their fish were still alive.

“This project showed me that you don’t need artificial things to thrive,” Morrison said. “We’re able to watch life grow out of everyday things.”