In this activity, students will observe how different density soils and rocks behave in wind and in water. They will make predictions and careful observations as they learn about sediment transport and sediment rates in streams and rivers. Upper junior high and high school science classes can extend the activity to include environmental discussions of agricultural runoff, turbidity measurements, and/or ... Full description.

Soil is essential for life on Earth. It is needed for food, air, clothing and so much more. Discussion topics include the terms 'soil', 'dirt', and 'sediment', factors affecting the formation of soils, soil horizons, and the twelve orders of soils. In a hands-on activity, students will collect soil samples from three different locations, use online resources to determine texture and particle makeup, ... Full description.

Soil science education is lacking in terms of accommodations for persons with disabilities to the extent that these individuals are often excluded from soil science activities in school, and from careers in the discipline. This article describes a study whose goal was to develop accommodations to the soils protocols currently being used in the GLOBE (Global Learning Observations to Benefit the Environment) ... Full description.

This article describes a study in which researchers evaluated responses from students with different learning styles to the use of computer technology as a supplemental tool in teaching soil erosion concepts. The students participated in an online lesson on soil erosion and were tested before and after the lesson. They also completed two assessment tools, the Student Assessment of Learning Gains (SALG) ... Full description.

This article describes an optional recitation course that was developed to supplement a traditionally taught lecture-plus-laboratory course in soil science. Popular, competitive games that would be familiar to students were revised to be "soils-based" and were employed in the recitation class. These games were seen as a potential means to use knowledge in an atypical fashion while at the same time ... Full description.

At most land-grant universities in the United States, Introduction to Soil Science is traditionally taught using a combination of lecture and laboratory formats. To promote engagement, improve comprehension, and enhance retention of content by students, the authors of this text developed a problem-based learning (PBL) introductory soil science course. Students work in groups to solve five real-life ... Full description.

Sand covers only about 20 percent of the Earth's deserts. Nearly 50 percent of desert surfaces are gravel plains where removal of fine-grained material by the wind has exposed loose gravel and occasional cobbles. This web page, produced by the U.S. Geological Survey, features text and photographs that describe desert landforms, soils, plants, and the role of water in the formation of desert landscapes. ... Full description.

Users can access photographs of various forms of erosion, erosion damage, and "before and after" photos showing how the problem was brought under control. Each photograph is accompanied by a description of the activity which is taking place. Full description.

This site from SERC's Starting Point presents sample Gallery Walk questions about weathering and mass wasting. The questions encourage students to examine soil creep, weathering, erosion, and property evaluation methods for weathering and mass wasting. The activity also uses soil, topographic, and bedrock maps to locate a new subdivision. The questions are organized according to the cognitive level ... Full description.

In this lab, students dig soil pits in order to observe, describe and interpret a soil profile. This Starting Point page lays out the exercise's learning goals, context for use, teaching notes and tips, teaching materials, assessment ideas, references and topics covered. Full description.