Cycle 3

In the previous cycle, students created and refined a model to show the inputs and outputs of photosynthesis on the microscopic and macroscopic levels. They figured out that plants have chloroplasts that take in light energy, carbon dioxide, and water in order to create food molecules that store energy.

In this cycle, students begin to design an optimized system for growing algae using their knowledge of the needs of photosynthetic organisms. Students consider the phenomenon of algae use to make cars go. They decide how to design an experiment, and what variables they will test, to maximize photosynthetic output of algae. Ultimately, they consider how matter and energy are cycling and flowing in their photobioreactors, and how humans might be able to capitalize on this energy flow.

This cycle will continue on in the next Concept, where students will analyze the growth of their algae and draw conclusions about their experiments. In the next Concept, students will also be able to redesign their photobioreactors by taking into account both their initial results and their new knowledge of cellular respiration.