Soils (STC)

Students gain a variety of skills during this comprehensive unit on soil.

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In the Soils unit, students use many of the basic techniques of soil science to explore a variety of soils and soil components. As they participate in the activities, they gain practice in the following skills:

  • Conducting tests to identify soil components.
  • Interpreting tests to draw conclusions about soils.
  • Recording and communicating their observations.

Through observations and various tests, your students will discover and identify the different properties of sand, clay, humus, and garden soil. They will apply their new knowledge to investigate a "mystery" soil and discover its composition. As you progress through the unit, students perform activities involving:

  • A close examination of a local soil sample, in which students are usually excited to find plant remains and (possibly) tiny animals.
  • Separation of soils into their different components.
  • The absorption and percolation of water in soils and how that relates to the retention of rainwater in the ground.
  • The connection between soils and plant growth.
  • Root growth in different soils.
  • Creation and ongoing observation of compost bags including soil, plant remains, and redworms.
  • Identification of their local soil components.

 

Throughout the unit, students will sharpen a variety of skills as they conduct experiments, observe results, and record their findings.