6.MS-LS1-6MA STE 6.MS-LS1-6: Construct a scientific explanation based on evidence for the role of photosynthesis in the cycling of matter and flow of energy into and out of organisms. 6.MS-LS1-7MA STE 6.MS-LS1-7: Develop a model to describe how food molecules are rearranged through chemical reactions to form new molecules that support growth or release energy as this matter moves through an organism. MS-LS2-3MA STE MS-LS2-3: Develop a model to describe the cycling of matter and flow of energy among living and nonliving parts of an ecosystem. SEP-2NGSS SEP-2: Developing and Using Models — students build and manipulate interactive models of photosynthesis, respiration, and the energy cycle. SEP-6NGSS SEP-6: Constructing Explanations — students synthesize investigation evidence to explain how matter cycles and energy flows through living systems.
Phenomenon-FirstStudents observe energy transformation inside living cells before receiving formal vocabulary, activating curiosity and prior knowledge (Bransford et al., 2000). Dual CodingVisual particle animations paired with concise text labels reduce cognitive load and build stronger memory traces (Mayer, 2009). Productive ExplorationManipulating sliders and observing dynamic system responses creates productive struggle that deepens conceptual understanding (Kapur, 2016). Systems ThinkingStudents discover cause-effect relationships across photosynthesis, respiration, and the energy cycle — developing causal reasoning rather than isolated memorization (NRC, 2012).
Investigation

Cell Energy

Every living thing on Earth runs on energy captured from the Sun. Explore how cells collect that energy, store it in glucose, and release it as the fuel of life — one step at a time.

Photosynthesis · Cellular Respiration · The Energy Cycle
Before You Begin
Read this first, then investigate

This is a four-step investigation into how cells capture, store, and release energy. Complete each step in order — each one builds on the last.

Common Misconception

Plants do not "eat" food — they make food using sunlight, water, and carbon dioxide. And both plants and animals use cellular respiration to release the energy stored inside glucose. These are two different processes — and they are deeply connected.

What is this investigation about?

You will explore how cells capture energy from sunlight through photosynthesis, store it in glucose, and then release that energy through cellular respiration — the process that powers everything living things do.

Why does this matter?

Every bite of food you eat traces back to photosynthesis. Matter cycles endlessly — the carbon in your cells was once CO₂ in the air. Energy flows one way — from sunlight, through glucose, into everything alive.

What will I actually do?

You will explore living cells, run a photosynthesis lab, power up a mitochondrion, and finally see the full energy cycle — all connected into one living system.

How do I move through it?

Each phase unlocks automatically when you complete the previous one. You must answer a short checkpoint question to advance. There is no timer — explore at your own pace.

① Explore Cell
② Photosynthesis
③ Respiration
④ Energy Cycle
⑤ Quiz
Phase 1
Explore the Cell
Click on organelles to reveal what they do. Discover the chloroplast and mitochondria — the two energy-handling organelles at the heart of this investigation. You must find all key organelles to advance.
Plant Cell
Hover over organelles to see their names — click to investigate them
Key Organelles to Discover
NUC
Nucleus
MEM
Cell Membrane
MIT
Mitochondria
CHL
Chloroplast
Plant Only
0 / 4 discovered — click organelles to explore
Phase 1 Checkpoint
What did you discover?
Which organelle captures energy from sunlight to make food for the cell?