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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Soils in the Amazon

In this lesson, students will study plant growth in soils with different nutrients and physical compositions. By examining data, students will come to understand the effects of nutrient depletion in the Amazon and the impact of tree and plant removal from Amazon soils.



Next Generation Science Standards

Discipline: Earth and Space Sciences
Core Idea: ESS2.A: Earth materials and systems
6-8
9-12
Lab Experiment
Soil Salinization Lab

Lab investigate of seed germination



Next Generation Science Standards

Discipline: Earth and Space Sciences
Core Idea: ESS3.C: Human impacts on Earth systems
9-12
Lab Experiment
Measuring Soil Microbial Activity

Activity to measure the amount of microbial activity in the soil.



Next Generation Science Standards

Discipline: Earth and Space Sciences
Core Idea: ESS2.E: Biogeology
6-8
9-12
Lab Experiment
Science Fair Projects & Experiments

Collection of soil related projects and experiments for all grades.



Next Generation Science Standards

Discipline: Earth and Space Sciences
Core Idea: ESS2.A: Earth materials and systems
PreK-2
3-5
6-8
9-12
Lab Experiment
Unlocking the Untapped Antibiotic Potential of Soil Microbes

This activity provides an introduction to the concepts of antibiosis, hormesis, and microbial ecology; and the types of microbe-microbe interactions, the history of the discovery of antibiotics, and the need for new antibiotics.



Next Generation Science Standards

Discipline: Earth and Space Sciences
Core Idea: ESS3.A: Natural resources
9-12
Lab Experiment
Got Clean Lakes? Thank your Soil

Students explore various factors that influence the amount of runoff that occurs when rain falls on the landscape by simulating erosion by water.



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
9-12
Lab Experiment
Going, Going, Gone?

Students simulate rain and wind to observe the effects of water erosion and wind erosion on soil.



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
Lab Experiment
On the Trail Again: Soil Compaction and its Effects

Students learn about the effects of human traffic on soil compaction and the effects of compaction on water infiltration on a trail area.



Next Generation Science Standards

Discipline: Earth and Space Sciences
Core Idea: ESS3.A: Natural resources
6-8
9-12
Lab Experiment
"Pouring" Through the Soil for Clean Water

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.



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
9-12
Lab Experiment
Combating Desertification-Saving Our Topsoil

Through an experiment, students learn what desertification is, where it occurs, why it occurs, and how it is linked to climate change.



Next Generation Science Standards

Discipline: Earth and Space Sciences
Core Idea: ESS3.A: Natural resources
3-5
6-8
Lab Experiment
The Berlese Funnel

Exercise to extract insects from the soil and explore the diversity.



Next Generation Science Standards

Discipline: Life Sciences
Core Idea: LS2.A: Interdependent relationships in ecosystems
PreK-2
3-5
6-8
9-12
Lab Experiment
Protecting Our City with Levees

Students design and build their own model levees.



Next Generation Science Standards

Discipline: Earth and Space Sciences
Core Idea: ESS3.B: Natural hazards
6-8
Lab Experiment
How Should Our Gardens Grow?

Students learn about types of land use and their respective environmental effects.



Next Generation Science Standards

Discipline: Earth and Space Sciences
Core Idea: ESS2.E: Biogeology
3-5
Lab Experiment
Welcome to Soil-Net

Soil-Net.com (developed by Cranfield University's National Soil Resources Institute) is a free and compelling environmental Internet resource providing teachers and students extensive curriculum-based information about soil. Includes a photo library. Flash is not necessary to access website content



Next Generation Science Standards

Discipline: Earth and Space Sciences
Core Idea: ESS2.A: Earth materials and systems
PreK-2
3-5
6-8
9-12
Lab Experiment
Reading
Activity
Slides/Photos/Figures
Soil is a Living Entity

A poster that introduces soil as a living and ever-changing organism.



Next Generation Science Standards

Discipline: Life Sciences
Core Idea: LS2.A: Interdependent relationships in ecosystems
PreK-2
3-5
6-8
9-12
Poster