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Worksheet
Curated OER

Soil Testing

For Students 5th - 8th
Earth science learners experiment with the water-holding properties of sand, pebbles, and clay. They apply their findings to the building of a well. This activity is engaging and tactile, and it demonstrates the importance of considering...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Global Warming Experiment

For Teachers 4th - 5th
Students examine the changes in Earth's temperature. In this global warming lesson, students perform an experiment testing temperatures of soil. Students record their findings and discuss what made the differences in the soil temperature.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Even Grass Won't Grow

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Students analyze what occurs when grass will not grow. They interview maintenance staff at their school and research possibilities for grass to grow. They develop a research plan and conduct soil sample tests. They plant grass seed and...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Scientific Approach to Forest Management

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students use wireless laptop computers to collect, store, communicate, and organize data from the 1999 Jasper Fire area. They collect data in the field and compare it to student-collected data from prior years to develop conclusions...
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Activity
Science Buddies

Science Buddies: Humic Acid and the Optimum Soil for Plants

For Students 9th - 10th
Humic acid is touted as an organic soil additive to improve plant growth by multiple means. Does it really work? Here's how you can find out.
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Handout
Other

What Is a Soil Test?

For Students 9th - 10th
The North Carolina Department of Agriculture explains soil testing, taking a soil sample, and analyzing the results.
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Article
Other

Linking Environment and Farming: Simply Sustainable Soils [Pdf]

For Students 9th - 10th
With increasing pressure on the world's natural environment and resources it is essential that we develop farming systems that have a low impact on the environment, and are also highly productive in meeting the needs of a growing global...
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Unit Plan
NC State University

Ncsu.edu: Adventures of the Agronauts

For Students 3rd - 8th
This site is an online science curriculum on how to grow plants on the Moon. There are six lessons that have a glossary also included. There are movies that demonstrate concepts, and teacher resources. The sites topics cover, the Earth,...
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Website
Other

Ed Hume Seeds: Testing Your Soil

For Students 9th - 10th
Conduct a soil test to find out what nutrients your soil is lacking. This site gives directions on how to gather a soil sample and what nutrients you should test for to get the best soil.
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Article
American Geosciences Institute

American Geosciences Institute: Water and Other Chemicals in Soil

For Students 9th - 10th
Learn why scientists use testing kits to study the soil, and find out what chemicals they test.
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eBook
Other

Kids World : Plant Nutrition

For Students 3rd - 8th
Plants need certain nutrients to grow well. Use this site to find out what plants need, how to care for them, how to read a fertilizer label, and do the fun activities, like a quiz, a puzzle and a coloring book.