Created by Rachael T.
Introduction
Welcome agriculture students! In this webquest you will be exploring different controlled environmental systems in the world of agriculture. You will be able to identify a controlled system and be able to explain it's overall context and how it works as a whole. Are you ready to delve into a controlled system??
This webquest is designed for students in agriscience courses in the 9th grade.
Task
Description of the Activity: Students will research different types of environmental controlled systems and create a design of a system of their choice from the following:
aquaponic systems, from recycled bottles, hydroponic setups, wildlife habitats, greenhouses, etc.
A drawing of your design labeled
A description of the design
Lists the outputs (what it creates) and its inputs (what it needs to function)
State how it relates to a flow of matter from a biogeochemical cycle (such as carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus, and water.)
Process
Step 1: Follow the link to find out more about Aquaponics:
Step 2: Follow the 3 links to explore recycled materials for environmental systems:
Terrarium Science: The Water Cycle (doodlebirdterrariums.com)
https://youtube.com/shorts/ZvqJiRuqHKQ?si=K2hmV0WobWHr3b4h
Step 3: Discover hydroponics , click the link
Hydroponics: How It Works, Benefits & How to Get Started (foodrevolution.org)
Step 4: Check out wildlife habitats as a controlled environmental system:
Protected Areas Have a Lot of Benefits. Here’s How to Maximize Them. (nationalgeographic.org)
Step 5: Are greenhouses a controlled system?
Now go on to the evaluation:
Evaluation
On a piece of paper answer the following questions AND design a model of one of the systems you discovered in your webquest journey:
Questions: Answer in 2-3 sentences
1. Explain what an aquaponics system recycles and produces?
2. Explain how an enclosed ecosystem, like the terrarium, can sustain itself over time:
3. What are the inputs of a hydroponic system?
4. How can wildlife habitats be controlled as an environmental system?
5. How does a greenhouse demonstrate the biogeochemical cycles?
Create a design for your environmental system on the same sheet of paper!
Your design needs the following:
A drawing of your design labeled
A description of the design
Lists the outputs (what it creates) and its inputs (what it needs to function)
State how it relates to a flow of matter from a biogeochemical cycle (such as carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus, and water.)
Conclusion
Summary and Reflection:
Congratulations on completing your webquest on controlled environmental systems! By exploring these areas of agriculture, you are now equipped to be able to define and identify what an environmental system consists of in agriculture. Reflect on what you learned through this process: What surprised you? How can you continue to advocate for the environment in your everyday life?