The purpose of this resource is to introduce the different particle sizes of soils and the properties which each contributes to the soil character. Students make mud pies by adding water to the various soil components, letting them dry and observing the pie's characteristics. Students sift soil to remove organic materials and pebbles. They then sift the soil with smaller meshed sieves to separate ... Full description.

The purpose of this resource is to develop an understanding of some of the relationships between soils of different types and water. Students will time the flow of water through soils with different properties and measure the amount of water held in these soils. They will also experiment with the filtering ability of soils by testing the pH of the water before and after it passes through the soil ... Full description.

The purpose of this resource is to measure near-surface soil temperatures. Students measure soil temperatures at 5 cm and 10 cm depths using a soil thermometer. Students will be able to perform a soil thermometer calibration, carry out soil temperature measurements accurately and precisely and record and report soil temperature data. Students will be able to relate soil temperature measurements to ... Full description.

The purpose of this resource is to measure the pH of a soil horizon. Students mix dried and sieved soil samples with distilled water. The mixture is allowed to settle until a relatively clear layer is formed. Students use a pH pen, pH meter, or pH paper to determine the pH of the sample. The procedure is done three times for each horizon. Full description.

The purpose of this resource is to recognize patterns of green-up at the plant, landscape and regional scales. This activity is to prepare students to recognize what a bud looks like and the progression of green-up from the time of budburst. Students will arrange plant growth pictures taken from the bud, shrub canopy, grass clump, landscape and regional perspectives. Full description.

The purpose of this resource is to further students' understanding of the causes of seasonal change using visualizations to compare the effects of incoming solar energy in the two hemispheres. The class reviews global visualizations of incoming sunlight and surface temperature and discusses seasonal change. Students use the visualizations to support inquiry on the differences in seasonal change in ... Full description.

The purpose of this resource is to develop a classification system for a set of objects and learn about hierarchical classification systems. Any set of objects, such as insects or rocks, may be used as well. Full description.

The site offers an interactive discussion of different vantage points associated with dam building. It describes some of the engineering and environmental issues that go into the process of selecting a site for building a dam and the conditions necessary for electrical generation. Links to classroom and family activities are organized by grade level. Full description.

This site facilitates a classroom activity in which students create a hypothesis on cloud formation and then conduct online research to either validate or refute their initial hypothesis. The activity begins with a brief laboratory experiment that demonstrates cloud formation and asks students to generate a hypothesis on how clouds form. The activity then switches to students conducting Internet research. ... Full description.

The purpose of this resource is to sample, identify, and count macroinvertebrates at a Hydrology Site. Students collect, sort, identify, and count macroinvertebrates from habitats at their site. Full description.