Science labs should feel approachable, doable, and actually enjoyable, even if you don’t have a full lab setup or years of experience running experiments. I’ve taught in classrooms without sinks, with wild class periods, and with barely enough materials to go around. I know how intimidating labs can feel when the logistics seem overwhelming.
That’s why I create labs that are simple to prep, easy to run, and realistic for real classrooms—whether you’re a first-year teacher or a seasoned pro. My goal is to take the stress out of labs so you can focus on what matters most: helping your students explore, question, and fall in love with science.
Let’s make hands-on learning possible for everyone. No fancy equipment required. You’ve got this, and I’m here to help.
Lab Summary
This activity has students design and build their own closed “ecosystem in a bottle” to model how plants, decomposers, water, air, and other abiotic factors interact. After choosing organisms for one or more chambers (3 variations included), students assemble the system using layers of soil, gravel, water, plants, and optional aquatic or decomposer species. Once sealed, the bottle becomes a mini-biosphere where matter cycles and energy flows without outside inputs. Over 30 days, students observe plant growth, condensation, animal behavior, and signs of balance or collapse, recording daily data to identify trends. By watching how light, water, and organisms affect stability, students learn how ecosystems function and what happens when conditions change
Who is this resource for?
Ideal for grades 6–9, this resource supports classroom teachers, tutors, homeschoolers, and parents alike. It’s designed to work across a variety of instructional settings.
What’s Included?
Everything you need is just a click away. After purchase, download the main PDF and access all linked digital resources on page 2.
Please look at the preview file to see more of this resource.
More questions?
Email me at laneyleeteaches@gmail.com
