In this activity, students investigate three different soil samples with varying moisture content. They use a soil moisture probe to determine the percentage (by volume) of water in each of the soil samples.

View Lesson
Discipline
Earth and Space Sciences
Grade Level
3-5
6-8
PreK-2
Lesson Type
Activity
Lab Experiment
Lesson Keywords
Soil moisture
measuring soil moisture
Soil Basics
Soil chemistry
Soil Physics

Next Generation Science Standards

Grade Discipline Core Idea
3-5 ESS2.A: Earth materials and systems

Four major Earth systems interact. Rainfall helps to shape the land and affects the types of living things found in a region. Water, ice, wind, organisms, and gravity break rocks, soils, and sediments into smaller pieces and move them around.
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 ESS2.E: Biogeology

Living things can affect the physical characteristics of their environment.
6-8 ESS2.A: Earth materials and systems

Energy flows and matter cycles within and among Earth's systems, including the sun and Earth's interior as primary energy sources. Plate tectonics is one result of these processes.
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 ESS2.E: Biogeology

[Content found in LS4.A and LS4.D]
PreK-2 ESS2.A: Earth materials and systems

Wind and water change the shape of the land.
PreK-2 ESS2.C: The roles of water in Earth's surface processes
PreK-2 ESS2.E: Biogeology

Plants and animals can change their local environment.