Biodomes Engineering Design Project: Lessons 2-6
In this multi-day activity, students explore environments, ecosystems, energy flow and organism interactions by creating a scale model biodome through applying the engineering design process. The Procedure section provides activity instructions for Biodomes unit, lessons 2-6, as students work through Parts 1-6 to develop their model biodome. Subjects include energy flow and food chains, basic needs of plants and animals, and the importance of decomposers. Students consider why a solid understanding of one's environment and the interdependence of an ecosystem can inform the choices we make and the way we engineer our own communities. This activity can be conducted as either a very structured or open-ended design.
Students create biodiomes using the Engineering Design Process
Every day, engineers adapt existing designs for housing, structures and cities so they work optimally in specific environments and ecosystems. To do this, engineers apply their understanding of the specific environment and biosphere, along with the concept of ecosystems to inform their designs and shape the human-built environment. Engineers employ the cyclical steps of the engineering design process to creatively brainstorm, design, prototype and create our human-made world.
After this activity, students should be able to:
- Define a biodome and name its important features.
- Use the engineering design process to create a model biodome of a particular environment.
- Describe how engineers use their understanding of the biosphere, ecosystems and community interactions to design our human-built environment.