![A graphic of the words "what you'll need."](/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/climate-change/make-a-terrarium/header_need/4568158-1-eng-US/header_need_full_495.gif 495w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/climate-change/make-a-terrarium/header_need/4568158-1-eng-US/header_need_full_990.gif 730w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/climate-change/make-a-terrarium/header_need/4568158-1-eng-US/header_need_full_1468.gif 730w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/climate-change/make-a-terrarium/header_need/4568158-1-eng-US/header_need_full_1980.gif 730w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/climate-change/make-a-terrarium/header_need/4568158-1-eng-US/header_need_full_2475.gif 730w)
1 clear, tall, airtight container (such as a large empty plastic jar with a screw top or a glass canister with an sealed lid)
potting soil
small plants (such as mosses, ferns, philodendron, pothos, African violets)
pebbles or broken flowerpot chips
filtering charcoal (not barbecue charcoal) Note: You can find this at pet stores.
2 small thermometers (about 4-5 inches long)
paper towel or cloth
water
![A graphic of the words "what to do."](/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/climate-change/make-a-terrarium/header_do/4568154-1-eng-US/header_do_full_495.gif 495w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/climate-change/make-a-terrarium/header_do/4568154-1-eng-US/header_do_full_990.gif 730w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/climate-change/make-a-terrarium/header_do/4568154-1-eng-US/header_do_full_1468.gif 730w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/climate-change/make-a-terrarium/header_do/4568154-1-eng-US/header_do_full_1980.gif 730w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/climate-change/make-a-terrarium/header_do/4568154-1-eng-US/header_do_full_2475.gif 730w)
![A graphic of an oval-shaped leaf containing the number one.](/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/climate-change/make-a-terrarium/01_number/4568074-1-eng-US/01_number_full_495.gif 95w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/climate-change/make-a-terrarium/01_number/4568074-1-eng-US/01_number_full_990.gif 95w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/climate-change/make-a-terrarium/01_number/4568074-1-eng-US/01_number_full_1468.gif 95w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/climate-change/make-a-terrarium/01_number/4568074-1-eng-US/01_number_full_1980.gif 95w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/climate-change/make-a-terrarium/01_number/4568074-1-eng-US/01_number_full_2475.gif 95w)
Wipe clean the inside of your container with paper towel or cloth.
![A child wiping the bottom of a small clear cylindrical container with a white cloth.](/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/climate-change/make-a-terrarium/01_image/4568078-1-eng-US/01_image_full_495.gif 235w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/climate-change/make-a-terrarium/01_image/4568078-1-eng-US/01_image_full_990.gif 235w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/climate-change/make-a-terrarium/01_image/4568078-1-eng-US/01_image_full_1468.gif 235w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/climate-change/make-a-terrarium/01_image/4568078-1-eng-US/01_image_full_1980.gif 235w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/climate-change/make-a-terrarium/01_image/4568078-1-eng-US/01_image_full_2475.gif 235w)
![A graphic of an oval-shaped leaf containing the number two.](/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/climate-change/make-a-terrarium/02_number/4568086-1-eng-US/02_number_full_495.gif 95w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/climate-change/make-a-terrarium/02_number/4568086-1-eng-US/02_number_full_990.gif 95w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/climate-change/make-a-terrarium/02_number/4568086-1-eng-US/02_number_full_1468.gif 95w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/climate-change/make-a-terrarium/02_number/4568086-1-eng-US/02_number_full_1980.gif 95w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/climate-change/make-a-terrarium/02_number/4568086-1-eng-US/02_number_full_2475.gif 95w)
Place a one-inch layer of pebbles in the container.
![A hand reaching into a bag of small stones on a wood tabletop next to a small open cylindrical container.](/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/climate-change/make-a-terrarium/02_image/4568082-1-eng-US/02_image_full_495.gif 235w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/climate-change/make-a-terrarium/02_image/4568082-1-eng-US/02_image_full_990.gif 235w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/climate-change/make-a-terrarium/02_image/4568082-1-eng-US/02_image_full_1468.gif 235w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/climate-change/make-a-terrarium/02_image/4568082-1-eng-US/02_image_full_1980.gif 235w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/climate-change/make-a-terrarium/02_image/4568082-1-eng-US/02_image_full_2475.gif 235w)
![A graphic of an oval-shaped leaf containing the number three.](/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/climate-change/make-a-terrarium/03_number/4568098-1-eng-US/03_number_full_495.gif 95w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/climate-change/make-a-terrarium/03_number/4568098-1-eng-US/03_number_full_990.gif 95w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/climate-change/make-a-terrarium/03_number/4568098-1-eng-US/03_number_full_1468.gif 95w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/climate-change/make-a-terrarium/03_number/4568098-1-eng-US/03_number_full_1980.gif 95w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/climate-change/make-a-terrarium/03_number/4568098-1-eng-US/03_number_full_2475.gif 95w)
Next, cover the pebbles with a thin layer of fine charcoal.
![A child pouring powdery material into the bottom of a small cylindrical clear container.](/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/climate-change/make-a-terrarium/03_image/4568094-1-eng-US/03_image_full_495.gif 235w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/climate-change/make-a-terrarium/03_image/4568094-1-eng-US/03_image_full_990.gif 235w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/climate-change/make-a-terrarium/03_image/4568094-1-eng-US/03_image_full_1468.gif 235w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/climate-change/make-a-terrarium/03_image/4568094-1-eng-US/03_image_full_1980.gif 235w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/climate-change/make-a-terrarium/03_image/4568094-1-eng-US/03_image_full_2475.gif 235w)
![A graphic of an oval-shaped leaf containing the number four.](/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/climate-change/make-a-terrarium/04_number/4568106-1-eng-US/04_number_full_495.gif 95w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/climate-change/make-a-terrarium/04_number/4568106-1-eng-US/04_number_full_990.gif 95w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/climate-change/make-a-terrarium/04_number/4568106-1-eng-US/04_number_full_1468.gif 95w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/climate-change/make-a-terrarium/04_number/4568106-1-eng-US/04_number_full_1980.gif 95w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/climate-change/make-a-terrarium/04_number/4568106-1-eng-US/04_number_full_2475.gif 95w)
Then add about 1 inch of potting soil over the charcoal.
![A child transferring soil with their hand from a bag into a small cylindrical clear container.](/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/climate-change/make-a-terrarium/04_image/4568102-1-eng-US/04_image_full_495.gif 235w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/climate-change/make-a-terrarium/04_image/4568102-1-eng-US/04_image_full_990.gif 235w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/climate-change/make-a-terrarium/04_image/4568102-1-eng-US/04_image_full_1468.gif 235w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/climate-change/make-a-terrarium/04_image/4568102-1-eng-US/04_image_full_1980.gif 235w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/climate-change/make-a-terrarium/04_image/4568102-1-eng-US/04_image_full_2475.gif 235w)
![A graphic of an oval-shaped leaf containing the number five.](/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/climate-change/make-a-terrarium/05_number/4568114-1-eng-US/05_number_full_495.gif 95w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/climate-change/make-a-terrarium/05_number/4568114-1-eng-US/05_number_full_990.gif 95w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/climate-change/make-a-terrarium/05_number/4568114-1-eng-US/05_number_full_1468.gif 95w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/climate-change/make-a-terrarium/05_number/4568114-1-eng-US/05_number_full_1980.gif 95w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/climate-change/make-a-terrarium/05_number/4568114-1-eng-US/05_number_full_2475.gif 95w)
Create a little hole in the soil. Place one or two small plants in the terrarium. You may need to add a little more soil so the roots are covered.
![A person's hand touching the open top of a small cylindrical terrarium containing soil and a plant.](/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/climate-change/make-a-terrarium/05_image/4568110-1-eng-US/05_image_full_495.gif 235w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/climate-change/make-a-terrarium/05_image/4568110-1-eng-US/05_image_full_990.gif 235w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/climate-change/make-a-terrarium/05_image/4568110-1-eng-US/05_image_full_1468.gif 235w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/climate-change/make-a-terrarium/05_image/4568110-1-eng-US/05_image_full_1980.gif 235w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/climate-change/make-a-terrarium/05_image/4568110-1-eng-US/05_image_full_2475.gif 235w)
![A graphic of an oval-shaped leaf containing the number six.](/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/climate-change/make-a-terrarium/06_number/4568122-1-eng-US/06_number_full_495.gif 95w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/climate-change/make-a-terrarium/06_number/4568122-1-eng-US/06_number_full_990.gif 95w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/climate-change/make-a-terrarium/06_number/4568122-1-eng-US/06_number_full_1468.gif 95w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/climate-change/make-a-terrarium/06_number/4568122-1-eng-US/06_number_full_1980.gif 95w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/climate-change/make-a-terrarium/06_number/4568122-1-eng-US/06_number_full_2475.gif 95w)
Water the plants until the soil is moist but not soggy. (You may want do this over the sink or a large dish.)
![A person's hands pouring water from a container into a terrarium containing a plant.](/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/climate-change/make-a-terrarium/06_image/4568118-1-eng-US/06_image_full_495.gif 235w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/climate-change/make-a-terrarium/06_image/4568118-1-eng-US/06_image_full_990.gif 235w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/climate-change/make-a-terrarium/06_image/4568118-1-eng-US/06_image_full_1468.gif 235w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/climate-change/make-a-terrarium/06_image/4568118-1-eng-US/06_image_full_1980.gif 235w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/climate-change/make-a-terrarium/06_image/4568118-1-eng-US/06_image_full_2475.gif 235w)
![A chart with three column headings: date and time, temperature inside terrarium, and temperature outside terrarium.](/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/climate-change/make-a-terrarium/07_number/4568130-1-eng-US/07_number_full_495.gif 95w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/climate-change/make-a-terrarium/07_number/4568130-1-eng-US/07_number_full_990.gif 95w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/climate-change/make-a-terrarium/07_number/4568130-1-eng-US/07_number_full_1468.gif 95w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/climate-change/make-a-terrarium/07_number/4568130-1-eng-US/07_number_full_1980.gif 95w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/climate-change/make-a-terrarium/07_number/4568130-1-eng-US/07_number_full_2475.gif 95w)
Place a small thermometer on the soil, near the edge of the container so it's easy to read the temperature.
![A person's hands placing a small thermometer in a cylindrical terrarium containing soil and a plant.](/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/climate-change/make-a-terrarium/07_image/4568126-1-eng-US/07_image_full_495.gif 235w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/climate-change/make-a-terrarium/07_image/4568126-1-eng-US/07_image_full_990.gif 235w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/climate-change/make-a-terrarium/07_image/4568126-1-eng-US/07_image_full_1468.gif 235w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/climate-change/make-a-terrarium/07_image/4568126-1-eng-US/07_image_full_1980.gif 235w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/climate-change/make-a-terrarium/07_image/4568126-1-eng-US/07_image_full_2475.gif 235w)
![A graphic of an oval-shaped leaf containing the number eight.](/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/climate-change/make-a-terrarium/08_number/4570972-1-eng-US/08_number_full_495.gif 95w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/climate-change/make-a-terrarium/08_number/4570972-1-eng-US/08_number_full_990.gif 95w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/climate-change/make-a-terrarium/08_number/4570972-1-eng-US/08_number_full_1468.gif 95w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/climate-change/make-a-terrarium/08_number/4570972-1-eng-US/08_number_full_1980.gif 95w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/climate-change/make-a-terrarium/08_number/4570972-1-eng-US/08_number_full_2475.gif 95w)
Cover your container with an airtight lid.
![A graphic of an oval-shaped leaf containing the number nine.](/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/climate-change/make-a-terrarium/09_number/4568134-1-eng-US/09_number_full_495.gif 95w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/climate-change/make-a-terrarium/09_number/4568134-1-eng-US/09_number_full_990.gif 95w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/climate-change/make-a-terrarium/09_number/4568134-1-eng-US/09_number_full_1468.gif 95w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/climate-change/make-a-terrarium/09_number/4568134-1-eng-US/09_number_full_1980.gif 95w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/climate-change/make-a-terrarium/09_number/4568134-1-eng-US/09_number_full_2475.gif 95w)
Place the terrarium in a window that's well lit, but not too sunny. Place the second thermometer next to the terrarium.
![A small clear cylindrical container on a wood tabletop outdoors.](/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/climate-change/make-a-terrarium/10_image/4568142-1-eng-US/10_image_full_495.gif 235w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/climate-change/make-a-terrarium/10_image/4568142-1-eng-US/10_image_full_990.gif 235w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/climate-change/make-a-terrarium/10_image/4568142-1-eng-US/10_image_full_1468.gif 235w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/climate-change/make-a-terrarium/10_image/4568142-1-eng-US/10_image_full_1980.gif 235w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/climate-change/make-a-terrarium/10_image/4568142-1-eng-US/10_image_full_2475.gif 235w)
![A graphic of an oval-shaped leaf containing the number ten.](/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/climate-change/make-a-terrarium/10_number/4568146-1-eng-US/10_number_full_495.gif 95w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/climate-change/make-a-terrarium/10_number/4568146-1-eng-US/10_number_full_990.gif 95w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/climate-change/make-a-terrarium/10_number/4568146-1-eng-US/10_number_full_1468.gif 95w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/climate-change/make-a-terrarium/10_number/4568146-1-eng-US/10_number_full_1980.gif 95w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/climate-change/make-a-terrarium/10_number/4568146-1-eng-US/10_number_full_2475.gif 95w)
Over the next few days, observe your terrarium closely. If water droplets don't form on the sides, add a little more water. If mold develops, remove the top and leave it off for a few days to let the soil dry out a little. Chances are you won't ever need to water the soil because water from the leaves will form water vapor, then condense into water droplets inside the top.
![A chart with three column headings: date and time, temperature inside terrarium, and temperature outside terrarium.](/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/climate-change/make-a-terrarium/10_chart/4568138-1-eng-US/10_chart_full_495.gif 308w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/climate-change/make-a-terrarium/10_chart/4568138-1-eng-US/10_chart_full_990.gif 308w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/climate-change/make-a-terrarium/10_chart/4568138-1-eng-US/10_chart_full_1468.gif 308w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/climate-change/make-a-terrarium/10_chart/4568138-1-eng-US/10_chart_full_1980.gif 308w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/climate-change/make-a-terrarium/10_chart/4568138-1-eng-US/10_chart_full_2475.gif 308w)
Observe and record how the plants grow inside your terrarium. Also keep a chart of temperature readings inside and outside the container. Was there a difference?
Why do you think that is? Compare your findings with a friend or classmate. You should find that the more sunlight a terrarium receives, the bigger the temperature difference inside and outside the terrarium.