The Story of Eco-Machines follows biologist, ecologist, and farmer Dr. John Todd as he confronts several urgent ecological and human health challenges. Guided by the same science and engineering practices used in today’s Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS), Todd begins with a single question:
Could we design a system that would clean heavily contaminated
water without the use of chemicals, and powered by the sun?
This led to years of investigation, experimentation, collaboration, and redesign. His work at The New Alchemy Institute, in the late 1970s, led him to an idea that changed the field of ecological design: a living technology powered by plants, microbes, fish, and sunlight. This groundbreaking system becomes known as an Eco-Machine—a biological process engineered to restore polluted water and damaged environments.
Written for middle school readers, this narrative nonfiction book presents real-world science in an accessible, story-driven model of NGSS engineering practices. Students learn firsthand how scientists use curiosity, iteration, and systems thinking to address some of our most pressing environmental challenges.
Kids ages 10-13
Grades: 5-7
Perfect For
- Middle school science classrooms
- NGSS-aligned engineering units
- Environmental science and ecology lessons
- STEM programs and sustainability projects
- Units on inventions, nature, engineering, and creative problem-solving
- Project-based learning and inquiry units
- School libraries seeking strong narrative nonfiction
Educational Value
- Systems Thinking – Understand ecosystems as interconnected systems.
- Engineering Design – See how real scientists prototype and refine solutions.
- Environmental Literacy – Learn how living technologies address pollution and water health.
- STEM Career Inspiration – Introduces ecological engineering through an authentic role model.