MicroZoo Web Resources

Welcome to the MicroZoo Website. Listed below are many resources and suggestions to help you start, maintain and use MicroZoo organisms to help students explore science concepts. A MicroZoo consists of small organisms, plant or animal, that can be maintained in small areas of the average classroom. They are typically inexpensive, physically small in size, while being easy to maintain and reproduce. They ! lend themselves to a wide range of student lead inquiry experiences. Students learning to care for the MicroZoo organisms become the classroom curators.

Listed below are some suggestions for MicroZoo organisms in your classroom.
Daphnia magna
duckweed
sensitive plant (Mimosa pudica)
bacteria (Safe list)
protozoans (Safe list)
meal worms
isopods (pill bugs)

Web Resources
MicroZoo Website with the following links and information:

Daphnia culture http://ei.cornell.edu/toxicology/bioassays/daphnia/culture.asp
Sources-- Carolina Biological
Food sources--Purina Trout Chow (local feed supply stores)

Duckweed culture http://ei.cornell.edu/toxicology/bioassays/duckweed/culturing.asp
Sources--Local lakes and ponds (still water)
Carolina Biological

Duckweed Experiments and Projects for Teachers and Students

web resource for duckweed --The Charms of Duckweed (The Missouri Botanical site has everything you ever want to know about this great little plant.)

Sensitive Plant (Mimosa pudica) culture/care/growing instructions booklet Science Kit & Boreal Laboratories
Sources--small plants Carolina Biological
Sources--seeds Thompson & Morgan Seed Company

Isopods, terrestrial (Pill bugs/sow bugs)
Sources--Carolina biological
website ! information Wild Little Things Workshop--- http://www.starbase-atlantis-pittsburgh.org/wildthng.html

This website has information on a large number of MicroZoo organisms

Carolina Biological Living Materials Care and Handling on-line Guide
www.carolina.com/STC/PDF/Livingmatcareguide.pdf