MLP Primary 6 students have been studying about a self-sustaining ecosystem during our Science Class with Ms. Ratchanee Buranasatitnon and Ms. Pensri Phengpala, P.6 MLP Science Teachers.
A terrarium is a self-sustaining ecosystem. Terrarium building is fun and is a great opportunity to teach about the living and non-living components of an ecosystem, the natural processes occur inside a terrarium such as photosynthesis, respiration, evaporation, transpiration, condensation and water cycle.
To better understand the lesson about the significance of abiotic and biotic factors comes in their interaction with each other and for students to really understand how ecosystems work, P.6 students worked in groups to build a terrarium and will  observe changes in the terrarium, to see if plants and animals would survive inside a clear container. Students used a closed or open terrarium to build their own mini-ecosystem. This hands-on activity helps students demonstrate how absolutely interconnected all life forms in an ecosystem are.
Students experienced a group interaction in the outdoor classroom, a new learning environment, got dirty and enjoyed fresh air and the sunlight.     
Students were given some tips on how to take good care of their terrarium….

• Keep the terrarium near your window where there is indirect sunlight.
• Lightly water their plants every week (for open terrariums).
• Closed terrariums are able to maintain their own water because there is water cycle in it.

What they learn in maintaining bottle ecosystems may help them take care of plants and animals throughout their whole lives!