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...

High schoolers explore the differences between specific soil characteristics. They participate in an experiment in which they discover soil texture. They write their observations in a journal.

First graders awareness is raised that not all dirt is the same. They compare and observe particle sizes in three different kinds of soils. They keep a record book of what the discover and talk about how some soils are alike and some...

Ninth graders investigate the factors that increase soil erosion. They identify how the environment is affected by erosion. In small groups, 9th graders research erosion problems in various locations. Groups brainstorm ideas to help...

Students conduct an experiment to determine how different soils affect plant growth over a six-week period. After determining the physical properties of different types of soil, students plant various types of seeds into the soil...

Third graders, in groups, examine soil samples with magnifying glasses. They discuss the living and non-living things they find in their soild samples.

Students investigate, through a hands-on activity, in which type of soil a bean seed grows best. They create a bar graph representing each plant's growth in different soils.

Young scholars study the four layers of soil while identifying the substances that each level is composed up. They investigate the properties of soil such as color, texture, water retention and the ability to maintain life by growing a...

Learners brainstorm the ways that water flows when it falls to the ground. After discussing three things water can do, they investigate and predict water movement outdoors on school grounds. They experiment ways to alter the water flow...

Students investigate a variety of soil samples placed in cold water jars. Layers of soil are examined for the difference between organic matter and rock fragments.

Students build a soil erosion model to study the importance of soil conservation. They investigate how land forms from both constructive and destructive forces.

Learners examine the interrelationship between trees, soil and people focusing on urban areas. They collect and analyze data about trees in their research area.

Students hypothesize the role of rocks, soil, and water by observing a terrarium and create a model to explore the water cycle. This is part of a five station set up.

High schoolers generate four statements and four questions based on their current level of understanding of the article from the engage lesson. They evaluate the statements and questions that they have generated and those of their...

Second graders investigate the agriculture of rice by reading a study guide.  In this food making lesson plan, 2nd graders read about the irrigation of rice fields used for harvesting.  Students write three sentences about the...

Students investigate the concept of soil and all its components. They collect samples from a local site and transplant it into a terrarium. Students identify the organic elements, clay ,silt, and other forms of debris. They also identify...

Seventh graders design and conduct experiments to determine what environmental factors favor decomposition by soil microbes. They use chunks of carrot for the materials to be decomposed, and their experiments are carried out in plastic...

Students examine porosity and permeability and relate these concepts to groundwater flow. They use simple materials to conduct a porosity experiment and use the information to understand how environmental engineers decide on the...

Sixth graders create a TerrAqua column. In this ecosystems lesson, 6th graders build a TerrAqua column to conduct investigations on how living things impact the ecosystem.

Students explore the close connection between plant roots and the soil in which they grow. They investigate the roots of plants, make models of plant roots using pipe cleaners, and examine photos and images to explore the connection...

Seventh graders investigate the temperature change in open and closed containers. In this earth science lesson, 7th graders relate this lab activity to greenhouse effect. They create a line graph from data collected in the experiment.

Middle schoolers use quadrats to investigate plants, animals, soils and weather. They answer questions as they fill in each quadrat. They share their information with the class.

Students investigate the concept of farming as found in Puerto Rico an focus on how to prevent erosion. They use a sand table to conduct an experiment to observe the process of erosion and how it is influences by natural factors like...

Students investigate, develop inferences, and differentiate between different elements of the water cycle. They investigate the observable characteristics of evaporation and condensation over specific time periods