Seven hands-on lessons module allows middle schoolers to learn about soils. These inquiry-based investigations explore the kinds and arrangements of materials in soils, the amount of water that flows through soil, and how soil is eroded.

Fourth graders study the differences between humus, sand, and clay soil.

In this biology field investigation, students will use observation skills to describe different types of terrestrial landscapes and compare them with one another. They will utilize these data in order to begin to put together the stories...

Discusses the different types of bacteria with probiotic properties that are beneficial to humans' health. Also discusses bacteria that benefit water, soil, and plants.

Wonderful visual chart showing the six layers of soil. Also includes brief descriptions of the 12 types of soil and soil formation. Worksheet for students to label the layers of the soil is also included.

In this soil study, students investigate a soil sample to discover what is inside the soil. Working in partners, they explore to see if there are any plants, animals, dirt, or other (water and air) in the soil.

Come along with the Agronauts and discover space in order to report back to Commander Spud Goodroot. Fun site provides all types of information about space science! Various missions include: 'What's In Our Sky?', 'The Root of the...

In this arts integrated unit, 3rd graders will explore Rocks and Soil. These projects focus on bringing multiple art forms to the Earth Sciences for third graders. Students will focus on comparing and contrasting the 3 types of rocks, as...

In this interactive tutorial, you will learn about the types of weathering and erosion that rocks and landforms undergo. This will lead to a discussion of soil and the types of soil. Lastly, you will learn about mass movements of soil,...

Dig into the layers of activities exploring and investigating minerals and how they are related to both rocks and soil.

In this environment-oriented experiment, you will mix it up with earthworms, soil, and various types of organic kitchen scraps. The basic idea is to set up small earthworm colonies to compost different types of food waste. You test the...

Different types of erosion are discussed along with suggested ways to solve erosion problems on farms in this two-page article.

Have you ever had to dig a hole in really hard dirt? It is a lot of work. In this experiment you can make an instrument to test the soil and find out how compacted it is, before you dig.

The goal of this plant biology science fair project is to make and test an herbicide made from the leaves of the black walnut tree and investigate the toxicity of black walnut trees.

[Free Registration/Login may be required to access all resource tools.] How soil is formed.

In this lab, students investigate whether the rate of water falling (rain) affects the amount of erosion (soil movement). This experiment could lead to further questions: how does grass or rocks effect soil erosion, does erosion lead to...

What covers less than 10% of the Earth's surface, yet is a vital natural resource for terrestrial life? What filters ground water and supports most of our food production, not to mention the production of building materials and paper?...

[Free Registration/Login Required] This flipchart contains a pre-test using the Activotes. It is a third grade study of the three main types of soil as well as the layers of soil. Graphic organizers and hands-on experiments are integrated.

The North Carolina Department of Agriculture explains soil testing, taking a soil sample, and analyzing the results.

In this guided inquiry students will specify soil types by using various methods of determining soil textures and analyze them with a soil triangle. This activity is a laboratory investigation where students gather data on soil textures,...

Students examine soil samples for this activity and decide classify them according to whether they are sandy, silty or clay.

The purpose of this activity is to demonstrate the importance of rocks, soils and minerals in engineering and how using the right material for the right job is important. The students build three different sand castles and test them for...

A lesson plan in which students explore plant communities and observe different types of soil and weather conditions in an attempt to determine cause and effect relationships. Includes discussion questions, extension activities and web...

This site from the Missouri Botanical Gardens provides general information about different kinds of grasslands and the plants and animals of that type of region.