PBS
Pbs: Independent Lens: Dirt! The Movie
'Dirt the Movie' is an independent film about the importance of soil, how it is affected by things like climate change and pollution, and how we can learn to take better care of it. The site features video clips from the film, articles...
Science Buddies
Science Buddies: Career Profile: Soil Scientist
Soil scientists are interested in soil not just for agricultural purposes, but also for construction conditions. Read about the career and employment opportunities for soil scientists in this Science Buddies career profile. Find out the...
Science Buddies
Science Buddies: Are There Dangerous Levels of Lead in Local Soil?
The element lead is a neurotoxin that is particularly dangerous to young children. Among other uses, lead compounds were common paint additives until being phased out for safer titanium-based additives beginning in the 1960's. Lead...
Science Buddies
Science Buddies: Are There Bugs Under Your Feet?
Within the grass there are millions of micro-invertebrates. Learn how to catch them by making a Berlese funnel in this fun project that will teach you about soil.
Science Buddies
Science Buddies: Growing a Soil Menagerie
Everything on our planet is linked by a giant recycling system called the biogeochemical cycle. How our planet recycles and reuses everything we need to support life is explained by making a miniature biosphere in this lab. You will also...
Science Buddies
Science Buddies: Worm Hunt: Isolating Soil Nematodes From Your Backyard
Nematodes, also called roundworms, are the most abundant animal on Earth and can be found in your back yard, playgrounds, and many other places. This lab involves isolating nematodes from several soil samples to discover the best...
Science Buddies
Science Buddies: Set Your Table for a Sweet and Sticky Earthquake Shake
Earthquakes can have different affects depending on their location. This week long exercise asks you to build a model house and a special table to shake it on, and see how different soil types can amplify shaking.
Science Buddies
Science Buddies: Earthworms: Nature's Tiller?
Everybody knows that worms are good for the soil, but not everybody knows why. This lab shows you how to efficiently measure earthworms within units of soil to determine their affect on decomposition and reduction of surface residue.
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College
Serc: Investigating Our Surroundings: Observing the Outdoors
Students will observe, describe, measure, compare, and contrast leaves, rocks, grass, and soil using observation and tools.
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College
Serc: Soil vs. Rocks
Students will compare soil and rocks by observing and sifting a soil mixture and a rock mixture. To complete the activity students will make a Venn diagram.
![Huntington Library: Garden Lesson Plans: Rooting Into the Soil [Pdf] Activity](https://d15y2dacu3jp90.cloudfront.net/images/attachment_defaults/resource/large/FPO-knovation.png "Huntington Library: Garden Lesson Plans: Rooting Into the Soil [Pdf] Activity")
Huntington Library
Huntington Library: Garden Lesson Plans: Rooting Into the Soil [Pdf]
An experiment to investigate the capacity of different soils to retain water, and how this impacts on the survival, evolution, and adaptations of plants. Extension activities are included.
BioEd Online
Bio Ed Online: What Is Soil Made Of?
Do you know what makes up soil? Soil is a combination of many different living and non-living things and provides raw materials needed by all living things. In this lesson students will explore a sample of natural soil by identifying and...
PBS
Pbs Learning Media: What Is Soil?
Have you ever played in dirt from your yard? You were actually playing with one of the most important natural resources on earth - soil. Watch a short video on soil and a second video showing the phases of plant development using...
Curated OER
Bureau of Land Management: Just for Kids: Soil Biological Communities
This engaging site about soil is easy to understand and filled with quick facts. Cartoon graphics and menu tabs highlight topics which include the importance of soil, fast facts, soil critters, food webs, and others.
Other
Children of the Earth: Soil Facts for Kids
Cute site for younger students to learn the basic facts about soil. Follow the questions and answers posed by a cute earthworm and his family!
Globe
The Globe Program: The Scoop on Soil [Pdf]
The following story provides students with an in-depth understanding of the significance of soil. Read about Anita, Simon and Dennis, their search for Scoop and all that ensues to help them understand Earth's processes.
Globe
The Globe Program: Muestras De Suelos [Pdf]
In Spanish. This science-based storybook introduces students to key concepts in soil. Includes classroom learning activities that complement the science covered in the book. Requires Adobe Reader.
US Geological Survey
U.s. Geological Survey: What's in My Soil? [Pdf]
Lesson plan engages students to separate, examine and identify the major components of soil to better understand how these components give soil its unique physical characteristics.
Other
Montauk Historical Society: Montauk Point Lighthouse: Erosion Control
This website explains the problem that erosion has created for this particular lighthouse. There is a detailed explanation of what is causing the erosion and how to fix it.
Nature Conservancy
The Nature Conservancy: Gardens Activity Guide: Soil
In this lesson students conduct a soil analysis to understand soil types and explore the relationship between the garden and healthy, fertile soil. Soil is a natural resource that is crucial to life on Earth and when managed properly, it...
Nature Conservancy
The Nature Conservancy: How Dirt Works
In this lesson, students learn the value of soil and its role as a natural resource.
University of Illinois
University of Illinois Extension: Natural Resources, Environment, and Ecosystems
A collection of lesson plans for specific age levels to help students gain a better understanding of animals, plants, and people, and how they affect each other in ecosystems. Many of the activities provide discussion questions and...
Georgia Department of Education
Ga Virtual Learning: Forensic Properties of Glass and Soil Evidence
In this comprehensive interactive tutorial you will investigate the area of forensic science and how the various types of evidence differ. Learn what types of crimes involve glass and soil and what ways these types of evidence are...
Other
Nutrients for Life Foundation: For Teachers: Nourishing the Planet
Download free curriculum with three modules on soil and plant science: elementary, middle, or high school. Each module includes hands-on investigations to help learners understand the importance of healthy soil and thriving plant...