Are We Alone?

Each group should have:

• 2 Are We Alone? Data Worksheets (PDF)
• 1 Styrofoam cup
• 3 beakers or baby food jars
• magnifying lens
• 3 soil samples (recipes follow); place one soil sample in each beaker/jar:

Soil Sample A: 1 tsp. (5 ml) of sugar mixed with a little less than ¼ cup (50 ml) of sand or sandy soil.

Soil Sample B: 1 tsp. (5 ml) of sugar and 5 ml of active dry yeast mixed with a little less than ¼ cup (50 ml) of sand or sandy soil.

Soil Sample C: 1 tsp. (5 ml) of sugar and 1 crushed Alka-Seltzer tablet mixed with a little less than ¼ cup (50 ml) of sand or sandy soil.

For the class to share:

• Hot tap water
• Examples of living and non-living items (about 10 items for the class to discuss). Possible examples are: a pencil, a book, a rock, a plant, an apple, a grasshopper or other bug, etc.