Set up and describe a decomposition observation investigation, predicting and recording how organic material changes over time.
Reading about decomposers is one thing; watching decomposition happen is another. This week investigation is a decomposition jar: a clear container with a small amount of soil, some organic scraps, like a piece of fruit, a leaf, or bread, and a bit of moisture, left somewhere you can observe it safely over several weeks.
Before you start, you predict what you think will happen and how fast. Then you observe on a schedule, say every few days, recording changes in color, size, smell, and the appearance of decomposers like mold or tiny organisms. Comparing your prediction to your real observations is exactly how scientists test their ideas about a slow process.
Mastery looks like: They can set up a fair decomposition observation, record dated changes accurately, and compare real results to their original prediction.
Common stumbles: Skipping a written prediction before starting; making vague observations, like it looks different, instead of specific, comparable ones.