1. Supplementary Material for Chapter 10
Understanding Ecosystems and Their Services through Apollo 13 and Bottle Models
This chapter is published as:
Agouridis CT, Sanderson TM Understanding ecosystems and their services through Apollo 13 and bottle models. In: Byrne L (ed) Learner-Centered Teaching Activities for Environmental and Sustainability Studies. Springer, New York. DOI / _10 
Carmen T. Agouridis and Tyler M. Sanderson
Department of Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY USA
Corresponding author
This file contains the following instructor’s guide Supplementary materials:
D: Instructions for Ecosystem in a Bottle
This chapter also has the following Supplementary material, available on the chapter’s website:
A: Apollo 13 movie clip downloading and class discussion document
B: Student worksheet
C: Example model ecosystem image and web construction
E: Part 5 questions with responses and wrap-up activity
F: Follow-up activity example ecosystems

2. Instructions for Building an Ecosystem in a Bottle
Carmen T. Agouridis
Tyler M. Sanderson

3. Needed Materials and Tools
A: 2-L bottles (3 total)
B: Aquarium rock
C: Play sand
D: Pantyhose
E: Rubber band
F: Knife or scissors
G: Packing tape or other clear tape
H: Hand trowel B C A D H
Need photos of materials with 3 intact 2-L bottles. G F F E
To fill your Ecosystem in a Bottle, you will also need soil and grass, water plants (e.g. Anacharis and Elodea), fish, snails, worms, insects, water, and organic matter (e.g. twigs, grass clippings, and leaves). Not shown

4. Needed Materials and Tools
A: 2-L bottles = $ (each; 3 2-L per system)
B: Aquarium rock = $5.50 (5 lb. bag; 2 cups per system)**
C: Play sand = $4.00 (50 lb. bag; ½ cup per system)**
D: Pantyhose = ~$2.00 (each; one makes many systems)
F: Knife or scissors = $
G: Packing tape = $ (roll; one role makes many systems)
H: Hand trowel = $
Note: All materials can be found, borrowed or re-used rather than purchased.
**see slide 5 for details

5. Needed Materials and Tools
Topsoil = $1.50 (40 lb. bag; 1-2 cups per system)**
Grass = $14.00 (3 lb. bag of seed; 1 pinch per system)**
Water plants = $4.50 (per bundle; one bundle makes 3 systems)
Fish = $ (per fish; 1-2 fish per sytem)**
Snails = $0.50 (per snail; 2-3 snails per system)**
Worms = $1-4 (small tub; 2-3 worms per system)**
Crickets = $0.14 (per cricket; 2-3 crickets per system)
Note: Several materials can be found, borrowed, or re-used rather than purchased (topsoil, grass, snails, worms, and insects)
**see slide 5 for details

6. Possible Components Biotic Abiotic Goldfish Gravel Snails Sand
Water plants (Anacharis or Elodea)
Earthworm
Cricket
Soil insects (e.g. grubs and ants)
Aquatic insects (e.g. sowbugs and leaches)
Grass
Clover
Soil microbes
Algae – develops quickly over time
Abiotic
Gravel
Sand
Soil
Nutrients (e.g. N, P, K)
Animal waste
Insect skeletons
Twigs
Dead grass
Dead leaves
Water
CO2
Oxygen
Sunlight

7. Gathering Some Components
Students could collect gravel from around the school property or in a creek. Rinse the gravel with water until clean.
Sand could be gathered from a beach, stream bar, or playground.
Topsoil and grass can be acquired by taking a plug from a grassy spot. It is also an easy way to get earthworms, grubs, and soil insects.
Some pet stores will give snails away if asked. Snails are also often brought in by water plants and will reproduce quickly.
We have tried two fish types; feeder goldfish and neon tetras. We have found that the tetras work the best. Depending on the environment where kept, some fish last a week and some last for a few months. It is best to ask your pet store for their heartiest fish.
Students can find aquatic insects in a stream by turning over rocks. Snails, sowbugs, and leaches are recommended.

8. Bottle Section Key Bottle A Bottle B Bottle C 1 2 3 4
Red “X” indicates bottle section is not needed for Ecosystem in a Bottle.

9. Step 1: Cut 2-L Bottle A
Remove the labeling from all three of the 2-L bottles.
Cut the top off one 2-L bottle (Bottle A). Make the cut at the point where the bottle curve ends and the straight section begins.
Bottom (1) will serve as the deep base of the Ecosystem in a Bottle.
Top (4) of 2-L bottle will serve as the cap of the Ecosystem in a Bottle. 4
Need to note what parts to disregard in recycling. 1

10. Step 2: Cut 2-L Bottle B
Cut the middle section out of a second 2-L bottle (Bottle B). The middle section is identifiable as the location where the labeling was located. 2
Middle (2) of 2-L Bottle B will serve as the coupling of the Ecosystem in a Bottle.
Discard the bottom and top of Bottle B in a recycling bin.

11. Step 3: Cut 2-L Bottle C
Make a cut about ¼ to 𝟏 𝟑 from the bottom of Bottle C. For 2-L bottles that taper, make the cut where the bottle is widest.
Top (3) of 2-L Bottle C will serve as the terrarium section of the Ecosystem in a Bottle.
Discard the bottom of Bottle C in a recycling bin. 3

12. Final Cut Bottle Sections3 1 2 4

13. Step 4: Construct the Aquarium
Place approximately 1 cup of aquarium rock in the bottom of Section 1. The depth of rock should be 1-2 inches to allow plants to root.
Note: You can substitute any small gravel for the aquarium rock. 1

14. Step 5: Construct the Aquarium1
Add water plants such as Anacharis to the aquarium. Make sure the ends of the water plants are buried in the aquarium rock.
Add water, fish and snails to Section 1.

15. Step 6: Cut the Pantyhose3
Cut an approximately 2 inch wide section of pantyhose. Cut from the leg portion.

16. Step 7: Pantyhose Placement
Stretch the hose tightly over the uncapped end of Section 3.
Use a rubber band to secure the pantyhose to the uncapped end of Section 3.

17. Step 8: Assemble Terrarium3
Insert the uncapped end of Section 3 into Section 2 and tape together creating a seal. 2
A gap of approximately ½ inch should be present between the uncapped end of Section 3 and the end of Section 2.
Next, add 1-2 inches of aquarium rock to Section 3.
½ inch gap

18. Step 9: Assemble Terrarium
Add approximately 1-2 inches of play sand over top of the aquarium rock.
Go outside to a lawn or park to acquire remaining terrarium components. Be sure to bring the terrarium and a hand trowel.

19. Step 10: Assemble Terrarium
Dig a plug of grass. The diameter of the plug should be slightly smaller than the diameter of Section 3. Dig to a depth of approximately 2 inches (i.e. below rooting depth).
Add soil from the plug to Section 3. Be sure to add earthworms and any other soil insects of interest at this point.
Earthworm

20. Step 11: Assemble Terrarium
Add the soil plug to Section 3. Once the plug is inserted, rotate it to help blend the plug with the soil, sand and rock previously inserted into Section 3.
Add leaves, twigs, grass clippings and any other organic matter of interest.

21. Step 12: Assemble Terrarium3 4 2
Insert Section 4 into Section 3. Pull up on Section 4 slightly to ensure it is snuggly fitted into Section 3. Next, tape Section 4 to Section 3.
Once taped, you can remove the cap to add crickets if desired.

22. Step 13: Final Assembly
Join the aquarium (Section 1) and terrarium (Section 2-4) components. Secure with tape.

23. Finished Product

24. Storage
Store the Ecosystem in a Bottle on a window sill that receives partial sunlight. Direct sunlight is not recommended as the water temperature can change significantly, especially during the summer months. Some sunlight (~4-6 hours per day) is needed to sustain the water plants.