Teacher Guide: Photosynthesis STEM Case and Handbook

Grade Level: 9th - 12th

Subjects: Biology, AP Biology
Versions: Biology and AP Biology
Time: Biology 40-50 mins; AP Biology 60-80 mins
STEM Role: Marine Biologist
Preview Video: Photosynthesis Preview Video

Introduction: The coral in the Great Barrier Reef in Australia is

bleaching. As a Marine Biologist, students learn the concepts of
photosynthesis and perform experiments to discover what is
causing the coral bleaching. After learning the importance of coral
reefs, students make recommendations to stop further bleaching
occurring.

Learning Objectives: STEM Cases are designed to help students learn the core concepts and
practice critical thinking skills (data analysis, data interpretation, hypothesis and reasoning,
predictions and communicating findings). Students are assessed on each of these and their
progress can be monitored in real time by teachers. The following concepts are addressed in the
Photosynthesis STEM Case:

● Photosynthesis: light energy, chemical energy,

inputs and outputs, chlorophyll, photosystem I and
II, electrons, electron transport chain, ATP, ATP
synthase, NADPH, Calvin cycle, sugars

● Connecting photosynthesis and cell respiration

● Plants: leaves, chloroplasts, grana, thylakoids,

thylakoid membrane

● Environmental pollution (herbicides, algicides),

elevated sea temperature, symbiosis (mutualism)

● Biology Version Only: Review of effects of

inhibiting the steps of photosynthesis on the
concentrations of ATP, NADPH and sugars (to aid
students in solving the case)

● Biology Expanded Handbook Only: Balancing

the equation for inputs and outputs of
photosynthesis

● AP Version Only: Deeper explorations of

photosystem I & II, and the Calvin cycle (fixation,
reduction and regeneration). Balancing the
equation for inputs and outputs of cell respiration,
connecting cell respiration and photosynthesis,
free energy and entropy

2019
Vocabulary: Every STEM Case and Handbook contains a glossary containing all of the
vocabulary needed for the activity. As new vocabulary is introduced, the words are presented as
orange text - clicking the orange text opens the glossary page for that term. The glossary can
also be opened at anytime throughout the case.
Lesson Summary: At the start of the case study students learn that the Great Barrier Reef is
experiencing coral bleaching. Scientists in Australia have asked for their help to research the
problem. Working as a Marine Biologist students must perform experiments to determine the
cause of the bleaching. To start their research students enter the Photosynthesis Handbook. The
Handbook is an interactive guide that covers the key principles of photosynthesis listed in the
Learning Objectives section above.
While in the Handbook students interact with a variety of
content covering the steps in photosynthesis:
Photosystems I & II, and the Calvin cycle. In the biology
version, students complete assessments to help them
connect the steps to the concentrations of ATP, NADPH
and sugar. Note that detailed biochemistry is not included
as the focus is on helping students spot patterns in the
data needed to solve the case. In the AP version, students
perform deeper explorations of these steps and do not
receive help with respect to pattern matching.
Once the Handbook is complete, students return to the
case to continue their research. They start by collecting
and comparing data from a control aquarium that contains
normal sea water to the data from an aquarium that
contains Great Barrier Reef sea water. Next students
interpret the data to hypothesize which step in
Photosynthesis is being inhibited in the Great Barrier Reef:
Photosystem I (inhibited by paraquat, a herbicide),
Photosystem II (inhibited by diuron, an algicide) or the
Calvin cycle (inhibited by high sea temperature). They
then perform three experiments, one for each step, and
are able to revise their hypothesis after each experiment.
At the conclusion of the case, students write a case summary to communicate their findings and
practice scientific writing skills. They will also be given further explanations of the experiments
and read about the importance of coral reefs and the prevalence of coral bleaching.
Recommended STEM Case Order: The Photosynthesis STEM Case should not be used as the
first case experience for your students as photosynthesis is a difficult process for many students
to learn. We highly recommend that students use one of the introductory case studies first such
as diffusion, osmosis, or homeostasis to help familiarize students with the case study format.
Using the Enzymes and/or Cell Respiration cases, or the Photosynthesis Handbook prior to using
the case will also help your students.
Follow Up: Your students can learn more about coral bleaching at the following links:
● NASA Climate Resources
● Information on Diuron
● Pesticides and the Great Barrier Reef
● Sea Temperatures and Coral Reefs

2019
Scientific Background: Photosynthesis is one of the
most important processes to life on earth. It is the major
source of oxygen for most organisms and converts solar
energy into food. Students often struggle to understand
not only the steps of this process but also the importance
of photosynthesis in relation to themselves. Those issues
are addressed by breaking down the three main steps of
photosynthesis into three experiments that relate to a real
world problem: coral reef bleaching.
Each step in photosynthesis can be inhibited by a
different factor. The Calvin cycle is inhibited by elevated
sea temperature which stops the production of sugar by
preventing Rubisco from fixing CO2. Photosystem I is
inhibited by Paraquat, a herbicide used by farmers, by
removing electrons which stops NADPH and sugars from
being produced. Photosystem II is inhibited by Diuron, an
algicide used on boats, by preventing electrons from
being sent to the electron transport chain which stops the
production of ATP, NADPH, and sugar. The case can be
solved without detailed knowledge of biochemistry as
just spotting patterns in the data is sufficient. This can be
beneficial to students when they are asked to interpret
data in their other studies and exams.

Process Uses Makes

Photosystem II Light, Water, Electrons ATP
Photosystem I Light, Electrons NADPH
Calvin cycle ATP, NADPH, CO2 Sugar

Human impact from pesticides, herbicides, and climate change are severely impacting coral reefs.
Coral bleaching is now prevalent in 31% of the world’s reefs. In 2016, bleaching of the Great
Barrier Reef killed between 29% to 50% of the coral. Coral reefs provide medicine for illnesses
and diseases, shelter for many marine animals, coastal protection, and biodiversity.
Teacher Preview Version: We highly recommend teachers complete the teacher version of a
case study before assigning a case to their class. In the teacher version, the pages are “unlocked”
which means that you are able to move from page to page without answering questions. You can
use this version to familiarize yourself with the activities that students will complete. You can also
use it to review concepts with your class by presenting it via a projector or smartboard.
Handbook: The Expanded Handbook that accompanies the Biology version of this case has
additional activities that provide a deeper exploration of the connection between photosynthesis
and cell respiration and balancing the equation for the inputs and outputs. The AP version of the
Handbook is the same as the Handbook from the AP version of the case. This can be used as an
introduction to the concepts prior to taking the case, as a review of concepts before exams, as
homework, extra credit or as part of a flipped classroom approach (students could complete the
Handbook at home and then complete the case in-class). If class time is limited, the Handbook
could also be used as a replacement for the case as it only takes 20-30 minutes to complete.

2019