My Science Box

Summary
Students conduct 4 tests of soil quality in the classroom that can then be applied to their terraqua columns and to the outdoors: visual observation, soil separation, pH, and Tullgren Funnel (to isolate living things in the soil). They make comparisons between 2 different types of soil and draw conclusions about how "healthy" each soil is. Through this process, students discover the major "ingredients" of soil: clay, silt, sand, organic material, water, air, living things, and minerals. By recording information in their science journals, they learn how to keep good notes and share the information with others in the class during a concluding class discussion about what "healthy" soil might look like and why.

Objectives
Can describe the major components of soil.
Can make comparisons between different soils.
Can conduct tests of soil quality.
Can interpret tests of soil quality.
Can record data in a science lab notebook.

Vocabulary
loam
clay
silt
sand
organic material
Tullgren Funnel
pH
acid
base