Science Buddies
Science Buddies: Porosity and Particle Size
Often, when we think of something that is solid we think about rocks. But in reality, rocks have tiny holes of air inside them. This is called porosity. In this experiment you can find out what it means to be "solid as a rock."
Other
Schlumberger Excellence in Education Development: The Permeability of Soil
This resource includes an experiment to show where rainwater goes. Discover the different layers of soil and what each layer is made of.
TeachEngineering
Teach Engineering: The Other Water Cycle
For young scholars that have already been introduced to the water cycle, this lesson is intended as a logical follow-up. Students will learn about human impacts on the water cycle that create a pathway for pollutants beginning with urban...
American Geosciences Institute
American Geosciences Institute: Earth Science Week: Exploring Porosity
Experiment to find out which size of gravel has the most porosity by measuring volume.
American Geosciences Institute
American Geosciences Institute: Earth Science Week: Measuring Permeabilities of Soil, Sand, and Gravel
This investigation will help students learn that different geologic materials have different characteristics.
American Geosciences Institute
American Geosciences Institute: Earth Science Week: Soil Properties
Students investigate soil porosity by building a model using the three main soil textures: sand, silt, and clay.
TeachEngineering
Teach Engineering: How Full Is Full?
During this activity, students will learn about porosity and permeability and relate these concepts to groundwater flow. Students will use simple materials to conduct a porosity experiment and use the information to understand how...
TeachEngineering
Teach Engineering: What Trickles Down?
Permeability is the degree to which water or other liquids are able to flow through a material. Different substances such as soil, gravel, sand, and asphalt have varying levels of permeability. In this activity, students will explore...
Cornell Lab of Ornithology
Habitat Network: Pavement or Gravel
Find out how gravel and pavement can be beneficial to a backyard ecosystem.
Other
Garden With Insight: Porosity
A good description of soil porosity and how it is measured. There are links to mixing soil, aerating soil, and soil settling with rain.