Our World: What is an Extremophile?
Almost every possible environment on Earth is home to a living organism, no matter how hostile the environment may seem. But what can these extremophiles tell us about life on our planet or the possibility of life in the universe?
Background Information
Grades K through 5
Grades K through 12
- Montana State University Planet in a Bottle, The Extreme Planet Project and other Extremophile Teaching Resources
Grades 6 through 8
Grades 6 through 12
- NASA Now Extremophiles
Activities
Grades K through 5
- NASA Xtrem-o-philes
- NASA Astrobiology Institute Life Underground: The Game
Grades K through 8
- NISE Network Exploring the Universe: Imagining Life
Grades K through 12
- Exploratorium Mold Terrarium: Watch tiny blue, green, and white molds grow on leftover food.
- Exploratorium Vegetable Revival: Bring food scraps back to life.
- Exploratorium Bacteriopolis: Make a home for a colorful community of microorganisms
Grades 6 through 8