Discovery Education: The Dirt on Soil

Students are introduced to the idea of soil as a habitat for many different organisms. They are introduced to the links between the biological adaptations of an organism and the physical demands of its habitat. Pupils are introduced to...

Sometimes science requires getting a little dirty. A hands-on lesson plan explores the idea of decomposition by building a compost structure. Using red worms and dirt, individuals build and collect data on the rate of decomposition. The...

An educational lesson focuses on the idea of conservation of matter through a demonstration of the water cycle, a discussion of digesting food, and the path of carbon and oxygen atoms as they change form. 

It's time to roll up those sleeves and get a little dirty in the second lesson of this series on the science of food. Investigate where plants and animals get the minerals they need to live in this two-part exploration of soil. First,...

Dirt or soil? What's the difference? Actually, dirt is soil as explained by the video's high-energy speaker who goes on to emphasize its importance. She describes the composition of soil as minerals, water, air,...

After completing this lesson, learners will understand the source and the process for the formation of soil, the different types of soil, and the components of soil.

For this lesson, middle schoolers will learn about the Glen Canyon Dam on the Colorado River, the impact it has had on local ecology, and what happens when a dam is opened for controlled flooding. After researching the Glen Canyon Dam...

What is dirt, and what makes some dirt superior for gardening? Find out in this virtual soil exploration.

Investigate dirt and why just about everything on the planet depends on it! This video explores soil's properties. Learn how soil is a mixture of minerals, water, air, and organic matter. [3:43]

Users of Discovery Education's interactive on the biology of addiction examine common misconceptions about opioids and learn about the factors that cause addiction. Additionally, they listen to the stories of three teens and their...