Curated OER
"Tri-County" Project--Ogallala Aquifer
Students explore the Ogallala Aquifer in the state of Nebraska. The signs of pollution found are examined and the data classified.
Curated OER
Watershed Components
Eighth graders examine the components of a watershed. They view overheads, discuss the hydrologic cycle, and observe a demonstration of a soil erosion box.
Curated OER
Field Research Project: Comparing the Parent Rock Material of the San Francisco Terranes With Local Soil Types
Young scholars investigate rocks and minerals and take a field trip to sample soils. They analyze rocks and soil, research the geological terrenes of the topology of San Francisco, and produce a lab research report.
Curated OER
Soil Science Study
Students complete an activity by looking and gathering data on plants and soils.
Curated OER
You want me to do what with this Dirt?
Eighth graders explore how to take soil samples and use GPS to determine the location of the site they have chosen to take the samples.
Curated OER
Urban Impact on Chollas Creek (California): A Field Study
Students, in groups, take samples from a creek and keep a field journal on their samples. They also perform tests on their samples.
Curated OER
Testing Soils for Garden Planting
Sixth graders collect soil samples and record the location of the samples by using GPS.
Curated OER
Ecosystem Soil Study
Sixth graders take soil samples and analyze the samples and ecosystems found within them.
Curated OER
Using Soil properties and Vegetation Differences to Hypothesize the Land Use History and Topographic Differences between Two Locations
Ninth graders take soil samples and perform tests on these samples.
Curated OER
Class Conservation Corps (CCC)
Students investigate how the loss of soil, a valuable natural resource, affects their lives through loss of productive land to grow food, loss of coastal land mass, and poor water quality from runoff. They design a project to keep soil...
Curated OER
Where Has All The Top Soil Gone?
Young scholars investigate changes caused by water flowing over soil.
Curated OER
A Thin Slice of Soil
Students examine the importance of soil in the production of what we eat and wear, and analyze the percentages of the earth used for food production. They create their own Pyramids of Life, and construct Dirt Babies out of hosiery, dirt...
Curated OER
What is Soil?
Students identify the major components of soil, and distinguish different soils based on physical characteristics. They examine various soil samples and record their observations.
Curated OER
Permeability of Earth Materials
Students observe and classify the permeability of a variety of materials.
Curated OER
Worms in a Bottle
Students gain a better understanding of the worm and its role in the recycling of organic materials into simpler forms by constructing worm bottles and observing for 60 to 90 days.
Library of Congress
Loc: Brazil: Soils and Vegetation
This is a very thorough description of the soil and vegetation in Brazil. Current topics such as deforestation are also covered. Part of a larger site on Brazil. Browse the "Forward" and "Back" buttons for more information.
Michigan State University
Michigan State University: Digital Learning Center for Microbial Ecology: Microbe Zoo: Ag Acres
A simple overview of the important roles microbes play in agriculture. You'll learn how some microbes can be hazardous to plants while others help fertilize and build soil, and kill insects.
PBS
Pbs Learning Media: Liberty Lands
In this What's Up In The Environment? video segment, learn how a contaminated plot of land in Philadelphia was recycled into a beautiful public park called Liberty Lands.
PBS
Pbs: Independent Lens: Dirt! The Movie
'Dirt the Movie' is an independent film about the importance of soil, how it is affected by things like climate change and pollution, and how we can learn to take better care of it. The site features video clips from the film, articles...
Science Buddies
Science Buddies: Career Profile: Soil Scientist
Soil scientists are interested in soil not just for agricultural purposes, but also for construction conditions. Read about the career and employment opportunities for soil scientists in this Science Buddies career profile. Find out the...
Science Buddies
Science Buddies: Are There Dangerous Levels of Lead in Local Soil?
The element lead is a neurotoxin that is particularly dangerous to young children. Among other uses, lead compounds were common paint additives until being phased out for safer titanium-based additives beginning in the 1960's. Lead...
Science Buddies
Science Buddies: Are There Bugs Under Your Feet?
Within the grass there are millions of micro-invertebrates. Learn how to catch them by making a Berlese funnel in this fun project that will teach you about soil.
Science Buddies
Science Buddies: Growing a Soil Menagerie
Everything on our planet is linked by a giant recycling system called the biogeochemical cycle. How our planet recycles and reuses everything we need to support life is explained by making a miniature biosphere in this lab. You will also...
Science Buddies
Science Buddies: Worm Hunt: Isolating Soil Nematodes From Your Backyard
Nematodes, also called roundworms, are the most abundant animal on Earth and can be found in your back yard, playgrounds, and many other places. This lab involves isolating nematodes from several soil samples to discover the best...