Title Description Grade Level Lesson Type Core Idea
Investigating the Uses of Backyard Bacteria

In this lab, students learn how to select for protein-digesting bacteria from various soil samples. After isolating the colonies, students are then encouraged to investigate ways to test the effectiveness of their specimens in breaking down protein stains on clothing.
  • 9-12
 Lab Experiment PS1.B: Chemical reactions
Journey 2050

A website with a virtual farm simulation that explores world food sustainability.
  • 6-8
  • 9-12
 Activity, Interactive Website ESS3.A: Natural resources
Keeping Soil in Its Place

Students will demonstrate rain drop splash (splash erosion) and determine its impact on bare soil, ultimately being able to identify types of erosion.
  • 3-5
 Lab Experiment ESS2.C: The roles of water in Earth's surface processes
Kids do Ecology: Desert

A basic guide to deserts from UC Santa Barbara
  • 3-5
  • 6-8
  • 9-12
 Reading LS2.A: Interdependent relationships in ecosystems
Life Beneath your Feet

In this activity, students will explore the variety of organisms that live in soils.

 Activity, Lab Experiment ESS2.E: Biogeology
Liquifaction in Soil Types

How does the type of soil affect how much a house will sink or shift during an earthquake? Conduct this experiment to test it out.
  • 3-5
  • 6-8
  • 9-12
 Activity ESS3.A: Natural resources
Living Soils Serve the World

Participants will learn how to construct a compost pile, what residues are added and how much, and how to create the right environ­ment for microbial decomposition by introducing air and water.
  • 3-5
  • 6-8
  • 9-12
  • PreK-2
 Activity LS2.A: Interdependent relationships in ecosystems
Looking for Life

Exercise to examine the smaller life forms that can be found in the topsoil.
  • 3-5
  • 6-8
  • 9-12
  • PreK-2
 Activity ESS2.E: Biogeology
M&Ms are Like Soil

This activity demonstrates that soil color can tell us a lot about a particular soil and the environment.
  • 6-8
  • 9-12
 Activity ESS2.A: Earth materials and systems
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.
  • 6-8
  • 9-12
 Activity ETS1.A: Engineering Design
Make and Share Soil Crayons

In this activity, students make soil crayons to explore the various colors of soils.
  • 3-5
  • 6-8
 Activity ESS3.A: Natural resources
Making Soil

Making soil using food waste and composting techniques.
  • 3-5
  • 6-8
  • 9-12
  • PreK-2
 Activity ESS3.A: Natural resources
Malian Bogolan

An introduction to Malian bogolanfini (mudcloth), and how it is made.
  • 3-5
  • 6-8
  • 9-12
  • PreK-2
 Reading ESS3.A: Natural resources
Mapping Your Soil

Soil surveys help us understand how soils differ and how they behave under various land management systems. In this activity, students will use the NRCS Soil Mapping Tool to determine what soil is around your school and how it can be used.
  • 6-8
  • 9-12
 Activity ESS3.A: Natural resources
Measuring Soil Microbial Activity

Activity to measure the amount of microbial activity in the soil.
  • 6-8
  • 9-12
 Lab Experiment ESS2.E: Biogeology

 

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