A terrarium is like an aquarium for land animals. Usually, people have small terrariums in their homes for animals such as insects or reptiles. There are larger ones, however. Greenhouses are terrariums, creating specialized climates for plants to grow. That way, tropical plants can be grown in cold climates, or Canadian farmers can grow tomatoes in the winter (the entire world can be viewed as a giant terrarium or greenhouse, click here for [greenhouse effect]). Zoos usually have climate-controlled areas for animals that are sensitive extremes of hot or cold. The Montreal Biodome, a completely enclosed typed of zoo, is really a huge terrarium, recreating many distinct environments or biospheres: tropical, Arctic, temperate, maritime, alpine and desert. Instead of exhibits of one or two animals, the Biodome shows on a small scale how whole environments work together. A wide range of plants and animals from each environment live together much as they would in the wild. (Predatory animals are sectioned off, as the animals they hunt cannot run away as they would n the wild!).

You can make a rainforest right in your own classroom--either think of it as a small biodome or a large terrarium--but this time you will be the "animal". Of course, before you start you better talk it over with your teacher.

What you need are two clear plastic shower curtains and some kind of framework on which to hang them, a plastic or canvas tarp, a few palm trees and small plants, a few large pans of water and a humidifier. The bigger the sheets, the bigger your "rainforest" will be.

1. Hang the shower curtains in a corner of your classroom and cover the top with the tarp or plastic.

2. Place the plants and large pans of water in the area inside the curtains.

3. Depending on the size of your "rainforest", go inside one-by-one or in small groups. What do notice? Make note of all your observations.

4. Then put in the humidifier and turn it on. Wait until condensation is visible and then go inside again. How does the rainforest feel now? Again, make note of all your observations. Then discuss the observations and changes that have taken place and why. What processes have been taking place in your rainforest? (For more, click on rainforest)