Biospheres Inspired by Artist Vaughn Bell

Post Contributed by Ally Bernstein, Assistant Teacher

For last Wednesday's "Art with a Heart" lesson, we expanded our discussion to include environmental conservation and stewardship. We first listed some of the many reasons that nature is important - students mentioned that it provides materials, food, water, and recreation opportunities, among other things. Next, we discussed the idea of the Tragedy of the Commons, a concept that explores the idea that natural resources can be depleted if people do not take care of the environment. Our conversation centered around ways that we can be good stewards and promote environmental conservation.

 

 

Student "biospheres" with wildflowers, snapdragons and basil

 

We then looked at the work of artist Vaughn Bell (see link below), who creates environmentally motivated artworks. At the recent Art Expo in Chicago, participants were invited to adopt a biosphere, a small self-sustaining plastic ball filled with live plants. Ms. Adkins brought two biospheres for the students to examine, and we thought about adopting nature and agreeing to care for it as we marveled at the plants held in the palm of our hand.

 

http://www.vaughnbell.net/index.html 

Our project involved making our own biospheres out of recycled bottles, as a small piece of nature to care for and study. We first filled the bottles with pebbles, to provide drainage, and then we carefully scooped in organic and kid-safe soil. Next, we planted seeds - some students sprinkled in wildflowers, some snapdragons, and some basil. Ms. Bernstein helped make sure the bottles had enough water and sealed them up with plastic wrap and rubber bands. This makes sure that the soil stays moist - since the bottle is a closed loop, you don't need to water the seeds!

 

 

The first sprouts!

Less than a week later, some of the seeds had germinated! Only the biospheres with wildflower seeds had sprouted - it provides us the opportunity to discuss why. We'll have to see if the basil and snapdragon seeds take longer to germinate, or if they simply need warmer or wetter conditions. This collaboration with nature is a work in progress and it is exciting to see what will happen!