In my last blog post, I wrote about the wonder and excitement of my first trip to a carnivorous wetland. \u00a0In this second part of the blog, I\u2019ll share how to bring a small piece of this unique southeastern native landscape into the classroom. \u00a0Building a carnivorous bog with students is a fun way to explore topics such as ecosystems, plant adaptations, energy cycles and evolutionary biology.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Ask your students, \u201cWhy do some plants eat insects?\u201d This simple question is sure to spark curiosity and lead to discussions about plant survival and adaptation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
To reinforce engagement, I like the Carnivores in the Classroom<\/em><\/a> Lesson Plans provided by the International Carnivorous Plant Society. These free, K\u201312 resources, designed by educators who have received ICPS Classroom Grants, include age-appropriate investigations and activities suitable for classroom use.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Carnivorous wetlands are nutrient-poor, acidic habitats that formed thousands of years ago. Some, like the Carolina Bay wetlands, are located in shallow, sandy, and wet depressions. Whereas bogs are full of peat moss and decaying plant matter. Both are primarily fed by rain. Because the soils are so low in nutrients, plants in these habitats have evolved remarkable adaptations to survive in these conditions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Help students investigate how these plants access the nutrients they need. The following videos provide explanations that bring these adaptations to life: <\/p>\n\n\n\n After watching the videos, students can continue to discuss the similarities and differences that they notice between the different traps and how these adaptations help the plants survive in nutrient-poor environments.\u00a0 This might lead to further exploration of other environmental challenges that plants face in a bog ecosystem. As part of this exploration, it\u2019s essential to emphasize that collecting wild carnivorous plants in South Carolina is illegal without a permit, which highlights a larger conversation about the importance of conservation ethics in science education.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Once students understand how bog ecosystems function, it\u2019s time to build their own indoor bog terrarium! Before you get started, review the how-to videos we filmed with fellow native plant enthusiast and Tri-County Master Gardener Nancy Padgett. These videos walk you through creating a bog terrarium step by step, from choosing your container and media to planting and caring for your carnivorous plants indoors. For planning purposes, each video is around 10 minutes long.<\/p>\n\n\n\nExplore: Investigate the Ecosystem<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Explain: Bring the Bog into the Classroom<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n