Discover, Design, and Debate

1. Earth Survival Kit

Task: Build a model of Earth essentials for another planet. Components:

• Biosphere Jar: Plants for Oxygen.
• Water Recycler: To clean water.
• Solar Shield: To block radiation.
• Heater/Cooler: To maintain ‘Goldilocks’ temperature.

2. Moon Soil Experiment (Chandrayaan-4)

Hypothesis: Can plants grow in Moon soil (Regolith)? Experiment:

• Take Moon soil simulant (available in labs).
• Add nutrients (since Moon soil lacks organic matter/bacteria).
• Add water and light.
• Prediction: Plants might sprout but struggle without the help of soil bacteria to fix nitrogen.

3. Why so many eggs?

Observation: Fish/Frogs lay thousands of eggs; Humans have 1 baby. Reasoning:

• External Fertilization: Eggs laid in water are eaten by predators or destroyed by currents.
• Strategy: Laying thousands ensures that at least a few survive to adulthood.
• Mammals: Invest energy in protecting one baby inside the body, ensuring a high survival rate.

4. Parental Care

• Birds: High parental care $\rightarrow$ Higher survival rate of individual chicks $\rightarrow$ Fewer eggs needed.
• Reptiles: Low/No parental care $\rightarrow$ Lower survival rate $\rightarrow$ Must lay more eggs to compensate.