Republic of the Philippines
City of Olongapo
GORDON COLLEGE
COLLEGE OF EDUCATION, ARTS AND SCIENCES
3rd Floor, Gordon College Building, OCSC, Donor St. East Tapinac, Olongapo City 2200
MIDTERM PERFORMANCE TASK
IN
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE
An Output-Based Project Presented to the Faculty of the
College of Education, Arts and Sciences
Gordon College Olongapo City
In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree
(INSERT YOUR COURSE HERE)
(NAME)
(COURSE AND BLOCK )
February 14, 2024
Page 1 of 5
Republic of the Philippines
City of Olongapo
GORDON COLLEGE
COLLEGE OF EDUCATION, ARTS AND SCIENCES
3rd Floor, Gordon College Building, OCSC, Donor St. East Tapinac, Olongapo City 2200
PROJECT TERRARIUM
Rationale:
During this project, the learners will be immersed with the conceptual topics
during lecture about biotic and abiotic factors along with designing, creating and
observing of a terrarium. The students will decide what kind of biotic and abiotic factors
are crucial for a working terrarium. In connection, discussion of the result and
observation of the biotic and abiotic factors will be happening to present the different
patterns and systems involved inside the terrarium.
PART 1: DESIGNING
MATERIALS DESCRIPTION QUANTITY
A large glass jar with lid (air- The model proper 1
tight seal)
Plants + moss Biotic factor that you The smaller, the better
need to keep alive
Gravel/Pebbles For the bottom Approximate to create 1’’ of
drainage layer gravel layer
Sand For added support to Approximate to create 1/2’’
the layer of sand layer
Soil Use composting soil/ Approximate to create 2-3’’
fertile soil from your of soil layer
garden
Hardscape Rocks, woods and Minimal quantity
ornaments ; for added
details to the terrarium
Jar lid To contain the air 1
inside of the jar
Charcoal To prevent odors and Approximate to create 1/8’’
bacteria of charcoal layer
Fine mesh To allow water, but not 1
soil, to pass through
Springtails Springtails being (Depends)
present will actively
keep mould from
maturing and is an
excellent way to stop
manual intervention in
a terrarium.
Page 2 of 5
Republic of the Philippines
City of Olongapo
GORDON COLLEGE
COLLEGE OF EDUCATION, ARTS AND SCIENCES
3rd Floor, Gordon College Building, OCSC, Donor St. East Tapinac, Olongapo City 2200
PROCEDURE:
1. Add the pebbles first. Cover the bottom with about 1 inch of small
pebbles/gravel, this will allow the water to drain and prevent rot.
2. Add charcoal or moss on top of the gravel and prevents odors and toxins
from building up. The bottom of the terrarium should be about 3/4 pebbles to ¼
charcoal. Be sure to wet the charcoal so it doesn’t stick to the glass.
3. Add the mesh layer on top of the charcoal layer . This will allow water to
drain but prevent the soil from falling into the drainage layer.
4. Add the damp soil. Use a 3:1 ration of soil to pebbles (if you used 1 inch of
pebbles, add about 3 inches of soil. Make sure the soil is moist but not soaking.
Fertile nutrient-rich soil will work best.
5. Add your hardscape and plants. More on choosing plants, but in general,
choose small plants that will tolerate humid environments. Start off with placing
any rocks, wood or ornaments, then add the plants afterwards. Starting with the
larger ones.
6. Add some moss to fill the gaps. This it also optional, but if you can cover up
any remaining surface soil with moss it will make it look a lot less ‘constructed’
and appear more natural. (Don’t forget to add some water)
7. Add springtails. A springtails main food source is mould arising from
decomposing matter. Just like all life, moulds goal is to reach fruiting stage and
spread its spores.
CHOOSING THE RIGHT PLANTS:
Humid-Tolerant Plants – tropical plants
Not too much sunlight – you’ll need to keep your terrarium in indirect light, so
avoid plants that require full direct sunlight.
Small and slow growers – Your jar terrarium has limited space, so be sure to
get plants that are small and won’t outgrow your jar.
PART 2: PRESENTING
Presentation day. All groups will present their project. Students in each
participating group should talk to the other students about their terrariums.
Guide questions are just phasing keys for the presenters when presenting. These
questions should be discussed inside the presentation proper.
GUIDE QUESTIONS:
1. What things in your terrarium are living? Nonliving?
2. What things do you see happening inside the terrarium?
3. What are your insights about the project related to the midterm lesson proper?
Page 3 of 5
Republic of the Philippines
City of Olongapo
GORDON COLLEGE
COLLEGE OF EDUCATION, ARTS AND SCIENCES
3rd Floor, Gordon College Building, OCSC, Donor St. East Tapinac, Olongapo City 2200
(Adapted from https://wondrwood.com/pages/blogs/diy-home-improvement/how-to-
make-a-terrarium-in-a-jar-step-by-step-guide)
RUBRICS FOR THE MIDTERM PROJECT
CATEGORY 20 points 15 points 10 points 5 points
Explanation by Explanation by
Explanation by
Explanation by student student indicates student illustrates
student indicates a
Scientific indicates an accurate relatively accurate little or no
clear and accurate
Knowledge understanding of understanding of understanding of
understanding of
scientific principles. scientific scientific
scientific principles.
principles. principles.
The model is a
The model is not
The model is very The model is creative, little creative,
very creative,
creative, accurate and mostly accurate, and somewhat
Fluidity inaccurate, and
all parts are clearly most parts are clearly accurate, and
few parts are
labeled. labeled. some parts are
clearly labeled.
clearly labeled.
Appropriate materials Inappropriate
Appropriate materials
were selected and materials were
were selected and Appropriate
there was an attempt selected and
Materials creatively modified in materials were
at creative modification contributed to a
ways that made them selected.
to make them even model that
even better.
better. performed poorly.
Construction was Construction
Great care taken in Construction is
careful and accurate appears careless
construction process accurate, but 3-4
for the most part, but or haphazard.
Overall so that the details could have
1-2 details could have Many details need
appearance construction is neat, been refined for a
been refined for a refinement for a
attractive and more attractive
more attractive strong or
accurate. product.
product. attractive model.
Student somewhat
Student did not
Students followed all Student followed the followed the
Following followed
directions. The project directions. The project directions. The
Directions directions. The
was turned in on time. was turned in on time . project was on
project was late.
time.
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Republic of the Philippines
City of Olongapo
GORDON COLLEGE
COLLEGE OF EDUCATION, ARTS AND SCIENCES
3rd Floor, Gordon College Building, OCSC, Donor St. East Tapinac, Olongapo City 2200
MIDTERM PERFORMANCE TASK: PROJECT TERRAIUM
PROGRESS SHEET (February 14 – March 14)
Project Name:
Name:
Course and Block:
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