Life Science – Interactions within Ecosystems (IE)

Plants need to exchange gases and water with their environment as part of photosynthesis. Some plant cells have evolved specifically for this purpose.

Acid rain is any precipitation that has an unusually low pH. It can be rain, snow, fog, etc. But what is a low pH and why is this a problem?

How do the green leaves of summer change to vibrant colours in fall? Explore plant pigments in this chromatography activity.

Make a model of the water cycle and find out how water moves around on planet Earth.

Can carbon offsets help you reduce your environmental footprint, practice sustainable living and fight climate change?

This backgrounder explains what greenhouse gases are and how they contribute to climate change.

Biofuels like ethanol might help fight climate change. But they can contribute to food insecurity and greenhouse gases in ways that might surprise you.

What is the nitrogen cycle? How do human activities such as using fertilizer affect the nitrogen cycle? How can this cause greenhouse gases?

1 diagram illustrating the water cycle

The water in the oceans has travelled vast distances. It has even time spent deep below the surface of the Earth, trapped inside the mineral ringwoodite.

The ocean is full of very small but very useful creatures called microbes. Without them, none of the sea plants or animals you’ve seen would exist!

Do an experiment with celery to learn about the structures that help plants take up water.

Humidity is an important part of life on Earth and life in space. This backgrounder explains what humidity is, how it is measured and how it affects us both mentally and physically.

You can make your own terrarium for growing plants!