Sealed Terrariums

In 1960, David Latimer planted a spiderwort sprout inside of a large glass jar, added a quarter pint of water, and then sealed it shut. He opened the bottle for the first time only 12 years later, in 1972, to add some water and then sealed it for good. 

The self-contained ecosystem flourished for more than 60 years as a perfectly balanced garden and self-sufficient ecosystem. 

The bacteria in the compost ate the dead plants and broke down the oxygen released, turning it into carbon dioxide, essentially forming a microcosm of Earth. 

For teachers:  This is a great project at the end of the year. It doesn't have to be this big, and it can even be a sealed aquarium (terrarium).  Next Fall you can invite your former students to stop in to see it.  To add a little more excitement, many types of insects, spiders, worms, snails and even flies can survive in a closed terrarium. Springtails, earthworms and woodlice are found in most closed terrariums.