Lessons and Activities

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.

This 4-page PDF overview provides the basics of soils appropriate all in one spot.

The lessons in this Soils Overview Unit provide students with a basic understanding of the fundamentals of soil science through the integration of disciplinary core ideas, science and engineering practices, and crosscutting concepts. The unit includes six sections, each containing learning objectives, background information, student information, selected resources, and ties to the NGSS standards

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

This SSSA video discusses the global food supply, nutrients that come from soil, as well as water for plants/irrigation.

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.

This SSSA video demonstrates the role of soil to grow healthy foods, and to provide a source of medicine.

In this SSSA video soils as the base for recreation is introduced along with how soils ensure our recreational water bodies are clean.

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

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.

Soils are everywhere. This SSSA video reveals places where you would least expect to find it, like in art and literature. There are religious and spiritual connections to soil, and soils can even assist in solving crimes.

Short video showing issues and solutions for soil management from the Global Soil Partnership.

Learn the basics of soil - for teachers and students. This hour-long recorded webinar teachers what soil is, how it forms, and how it affects our lives every day through hands-on activities for the classroom. The webinar was presented by professional members of the Soil Science Society of America, and hosted by NESTA.

This interactive map allows you to explore USDA-NCSS soil survey data for locations throughout most of the U.S. It is compatible with smartphones, tablets, and desktop computers.

Interactive map of state soil series with booklets for each state.