Cycle 1

Up until now, students have been focused on the biochemistry of the individual. They have figured out how photosynthetic organisms like plants and algae make food and use food via the processes of photosynthesis and cellular respiration. They have used this information to design an ideal photobioreactor to create the most growth of algae possible.

In this cycle, students consider the guiding question, “How do cellular processes affect ecosystems?” They try to figure out what causes the phenomenon of algae blooms, and what the effects of this might be. In order to figure this out, they use card sorts, create models of food webs and food chains, and describe how matter and energy move through an entire ecosystem because of the individual cellular processes they’ve been exploring.

This cycle prepares students for the next cycle, where they will consider how humans have impacted the movement of matter in ecosystems, and why biofuels are an important way to mitigate these negative impacts.