Students alter distribution of pore sizes in school garden soil and observe the effects of irrigation or rainfall on water infiltration/capture, runoff rate, and/or water ponding.

View Lesson
Discipline
Earth and Space Sciences
Grade Level
3-5
6-8
9-12
PreK-2
Lesson Type
Lab Experiment
Lesson Keywords
Tillage
Conservation
Infiltration
Soil Erosion
Water
Runoff
ponding
soil pore size
Porosity
Human Impact
Soil Basics
Soil Conservation

Next Generation Science Standards

Grade Discipline Core Idea
3-5 ESS2.C: The roles of water in Earth's surface processes

Most of the Earth's water is in the ocean and much of the Earth's fresh water is in glaciers or underground.
3-5 ESS3.A: Natural resources

Energy and fuels humans use are derived from natural sources and their use affects the environment. Some resources are renewable over time, others are not.
6-8 ESS2.C: The roles of water in Earth's surface processes

Water cycles among land, ocean, and atmosphere, and is propelled by sunlight and gravity. Density variations of sea water drive interconnected ocean currents.  Water movement causes weathering and erosion, changing landscape features.
6-8 ESS3.A: Natural resources

Humans depend on Earth's land, ocean, atmosphere, and biosphere for different resources, many of which are limited or not renewable. Resources are distributed unevenly around the planet as a result of past geologic processes.
9-12 ESS2.C: The roles of water in Earth's surface processes

The planet's dynamics are greatly influenced by water's unique chemical and physical properties.
9-12 ESS3.A: Natural resources

Resource availability has guided the development of human society and use of natural resources has associated costs, risks, and benefits.
PreK-2 ESS2.C: The roles of water in Earth's surface processes
PreK-2 ESS3.A: Natural resources

Living things need water, air, and resources from the land, and they live in places that have the things they need. Humans use natural resources for everything they do.