Lessons and Activities Search


We've curated a collection of lessons, hands-on activities, labs, readings, and more - all about soils and topics related to soils – in this searchable database. Some are posted directly by SSSA others we have reviewed and recommend. While they are not officially endorsed, we found them to have high quality materials for lessons and activities at different grade levels. And, you can save items of interest to a custom binder (you’ll need to create an account to access this feature).

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Next Generation Science Standards
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Title
Grade
Type
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Soil is a Filter

Activity that demonstrates how soil can filter impurities from water, both physically and chemically.



Next Generation Science Standards

Discipline: Physical Sciences
Core Idea: PS1.A: Structure of matter (includes PS1.C Nuclear Processes)
PreK-2
3-5
6-8
9-12
Activity
The Sponge Model

This models uses a household sponge to demonstrate several characteristics of the relations of soil and water.



Next Generation Science Standards

Discipline: Earth and Space Sciences
Core Idea: ESS2.C: The roles of water in Earth's surface processes
3-5
6-8
Activity
Soil Has a Charge!

How does soil keep fertilizers from leaching out of the plant root zone? Clay and organic matter with varying amounts of negative surface charge. Determine if soil has a positive or negative charge with this experiment.



Next Generation Science Standards

Discipline: Earth and Space Sciences
Core Idea: ESS2.A: Earth materials and systems
3-5
6-8
9-12
Activity
Magical Microbes

Could Shewies, a funky bacteria, be a sustainable future clean energy source? This lesson provides an overview of the electrical current created by "Shewies" and how you can use a MudWatt to create a Microbial Fuel Cell.



Next Generation Science Standards

Discipline: Life Sciences
Core Idea: LS1.A: Structure and function
6-8
9-12
Activity
Erosion and Ground Cover Models

This demonstration shows the effect ground cover has on Soil Erosion.



Next Generation Science Standards

Discipline: Earth and Space Sciences
Core Idea: ESS2.A: Earth materials and systems
3-5
6-8
Activity
Quicksand: A Case of Liquefaction

This activity demonstrates the principles of liquefaction and what happens when soil begins to act more like a liquid than a solid.



Next Generation Science Standards

Discipline: Earth and Space Sciences
Core Idea: ESS2.A: Earth materials and systems
6-8
9-12
Activity
Lab Experiment
How to Make Dirt Shirts

Students learn whether or not soil can be used as a natural dye.



Next Generation Science Standards

Discipline: Earth and Space Sciences
Core Idea: ESS3.A: Natural resources
3-5
6-8
9-12
Activity
Soils Protect the Natural Environment

This SSSA video describes the soils of various biomes and the role they play to support the life in those biomes.



Next Generation Science Standards

Discipline: Earth and Space Sciences
Core Idea: ESS3.C: Human impacts on Earth systems
PreK-2
3-5
6-8
Video
Soils Sustain Life

This SSSA video provides an overview of soils as the upper part of land surface and created from weathered rocks. It also points to the ecosystem services provide by soil.



Next Generation Science Standards

Discipline: Earth and Space Sciences
Core Idea: ESS2.A: Earth materials and systems
PreK-2
3-5
6-8
Video
Soils Clean and Capture Water

This SSSA video introduces the role of water in the vitality of soils, its distribution across and into soils, and green infrastructure for stormwater management.



Next Generation Science Standards

Discipline: Earth and Space Sciences
Core Idea: ESS2.C: The roles of water in Earth's surface processes
PreK-2
3-5
6-8
Video
Soils Support Urban Life

This SSSA video goes into the importance of soil to urban environment, and urban gardening.



Next Generation Science Standards

Discipline: Earth and Space Sciences
Core Idea: ESS3.C: Human impacts on Earth systems
PreK-2
3-5
6-8
Video
Soils Support Buildings/Infrastructure

In this SSSA video, the role of soil in making and supporting infrastructure is introduced through the lens of engineering. It also discusses erosion, mudslides, and structural failures.



Next Generation Science Standards

Discipline: Earth and Space Sciences
Core Idea: ESS3.A: Natural resources
PreK-2
3-5
6-8
Video
Soils and Climate

Carbon sequestration, greenhouse gases, desertification, drought are a few of the climate and soil topics in this SSSA video. It also describes how soils help us understand past environments.
PreK-2
3-5
Video
Soils are Living

Soils are alive! This SSSA video shows how “alive” soils are given the diversity and complexity of life in soils. Soil biology is what makes soil more than dirt.



Next Generation Science Standards

Discipline: Life Sciences
Core Idea: LS2.A: Interdependent relationships in ecosystems
PreK-2
3-5
6-8
Video
Soils and Products We Use

From farm to table, to pottery and adobe, to make-up, this SSSA video explores the role of soil in the products we use.



Next Generation Science Standards

Discipline: Earth and Space Sciences
Core Idea: ESS3.A: Natural resources
PreK-2
3-5
Video