Activity Overview
In this activity, students' use a pH sensor and Temperature Sensor to measure and compare the pH and temperature of three aquariums over a period of several weeks. They will compare and understand how plants and animals affect the water quality.They will also understand the effect of changes in pH and temperature on ecosystems.
Before the Activity
Plug in Temperature Sensor in channel 1, and pH sensor in channel 2 of the CBL 2; use DIN adapter, if necessary
Download DataMate™ program using the TI-GRAPH LINK™ or TI Connect™ software
See the attached PDF file for detailed instructions for this activity
Print pages 143 - 153 from the attached PDF file for your class
During the Activity
Distribute the pages to your class.
Follow the Activity procedures:
Set up three tanks with water and gravel, allow them to sit for 3 days
Let the first tank containing only water be the control tank, mark its water level
The second tank contains water and plants (producers) while the third tank contains water, plants, and animals (consumers)
Add plants to the second and third tank at an interval of 1 new plant every day for 2 weeks
After two weeks add an animal (consumer) to the third tank one new animal every day for 2 to 4 weeks
Measure the pH and temperature of each tank every day for a period on 4 to 6 weeks before and after plants and/or animals are added
Collect and record all of the data
Plot time versus pH graph for the two tanks with organisms and compare the pH values
Compare the effect of plants and fish on the pH of a closed freshwater ecosystem
Graph the air and water temperature for each tank
Understand the effect of changes in pH and temperature on ecosystems
After the Activity
Students' will complete Student Data Collection and Analysis Sheet.
Review student results
As a class, discuss questions that appeared to be more challenging
Re-teach concepts as necessary