Creating a Terrarium to Grow Grass on the Moon

Make a terrarium to grow grass on the Moon Growing grass to use in a football pitch on the moon

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The challenge People have been thinking about what life would be like on the moon for a very long time Could we eventually live on the moon? If so, could we play football on the moon too?

The problem Grass would not grow on the moon At night it would freeze as temperature drops to -130 C In the day it boils at over 120 C

What is a terrarium? A terrarium is an environment that can be used to grow plants or grass It recycles its own water and air This would be a way of getting grass to grow on the moon

Materials needed Clean jam jar and lid Charcoal Soil Grass seeds Water Stones

Step 1 Clean and dry the jar Sterilise the jar if possible

Step 2 Put a layer of charcoal in the bottom of the jar Roughly 2 cm (20 mm) deep The charcoal cleans the water

Step 3 Add a layer of cleaned stones Again 2 cm deep The stones filter dirt from the water

Step 4 Fill up with soil About 4 cm (40 mm) deep

Step 5 Add an even scattering of grass seeds This should thinly cover the soil

Step 6 Cover then with a 2 cm layer of soil Water lightly to moisten the soil Put the lid on

Step 7 Put on a window sill in the sunlight Rotate each day 180 This is so the grass grows evenly

Extension What effect has rotating the jar daily had on the grass? What would have happened if you didn t turn it? How long did it take for your seeds to germinate?