Hedgerows prevent soil erosion, capture pollutants running off fields, store carbon to help combat climate change, and provide homes for predators of many pest species. The biodiversity lesson begins with an activity that...

Using this thoroughly-written plan, you can have your junior ecologists exploring local biodiversity. They take a journal outdoors to tally the species that they see. An article is included along with comprehension questions. The author...

Students investigate soil depth.  In this studying soils lesson plan, students visit South Penquite Farm and collect samples.  Students record their data and graph results. 

Students examine how different nutrients in the soil and fertilizers affect plant growth. In groups, they participate in a role play in which allows them to see the interactions of humans and plants. They also read articles and record...

Students investigate the forest ecosystem to learn of the living and non-living elements of the soil. In this ecosystem lesson, students examine soil for twigs, moss, fungi, leaves, roots and other matter.   Students...

Students examine how to take the impurities out of eater.  In this exploratory instructional activity students complete an experiment on how to filter drinking water. 

Young scholars conduct an experiment. They review how to use the scientific method to conduct an experiment with white carnations and food coloring. They create a hypothesis and test it to better understand how plants get nutrients,...

Students determine if the sterilization of topsoil is beneficial to seed germination and plant growth. They grow plants alongside control groups, make and record observations of plant growth and measure plant biomass.

In this soil coloring worksheet, students color a picture of a cartoon style worm. Students color the words "Soil is under all our feet ... You just have to look!"

Roll up your sleeves and get a little dirty with this elementary and middle school compost instructional activity. All you need is a large plastic container, a couple old newspapers, some organic waste, and a few hundred worms and...

Elementary schoolers complete a worksheet that has them decide which of four environments a variety of animals live in. The environments are: pond, soil, ocean, and woodland. There are 12 different types of animals that pupils must match...

In this erosion activity, students will compare what happens to soil when water flows over soil with no vegetation and soil with vegetation. Then, students will complete four short answer questions.

Students experiment using soil and water. In this forest as a filter instructional activity, students identify the role of forest cover, vegetation, and foliage impacts erosion and evaporation. Students conduct a simple experiment, form...

Young scientists use food coloring and celery stalks to determine how water travels through plants. 

Salad dressings use a variety of different ingredients, but it's important to have a healthy balance of greens to create a delicious mix. Young chefs examine five types of herbs including chives, basil, dill, parsley, and thyme to...

Determining whether or not something is living can be more difficult than it seems. Put your young scientists to work defining their own criteria to identify life, then work with three samples to see if they are alive or...

This presentation gives a visual account of a class's experiment growing sprouts under different conditions. There are three containers with the same soil and the same seeds. One of the containers got water, but no light. One got light,...

Here is an ingeniously clever lesson on seed germination that's sure to be a hit with your kids. In it, learners create "egg people," out of eggs, egg cartons, potting soil, grass seeds, and markers. There is also a potato version and a...

Students investigate botany by creating a soil separating device.  In this plant life lesson, students identify the needs of plants and how important the right soil is in the growing process.  Students define different soil...

Students identify the differences in local soil types and the relationship between soil size and water retention. They are introduced to microenvironmental conditions in ecosystem sustainability.

Middle schoolers investigate the different materials in their environment.  In this geology lesson, students collaborate in groups to examine the differences in sand, soil and gravel.  Middle schoolers utilize a magnifying...

In this watering soil worksheet, students complete a simple activity, following directions to use a watering can to sprinkle, pour slowly, then pour "faster" onto soil and write about what they notice. Teacher guide is on page 2.

In this soil chemistry instructional activity, students complete the sentences with the correct words to fill in the blanks about soil chemistry. Students complete 28 blanks.

In this soil chemistry activity, students match each item on the left with its matching item on the right related to soil chemistry. Students match 16 items.