Title Description Grade Level Lesson Type Core Idea
Melting Permafrost

This video is accompanied by supporting materials including background essay and discussion questions. The focus is on changes happening to permafrost in the Arctic landscape, with Alaska Native peoples and Western scientists discussing both the causes of thawing and its impact on the ecosystem.
  • 6-8
  • 9-12
 Activity, Video ESS3.C: Human impacts on Earth systems
Methanotrophs: The Natural Way to Tackle Greenhouse Effect

Article about the potential role soil microbes can play in capturing greenhouse gases.
  • 9-12
 Reading ESS3.D: Global climate change
More than an Empty Pot

Students will use the story of The Empty Pot to explore literature and science, practicing story mapping and learning about the needs of plants and the importance of soil and water.
  • 3-5
 Activity ESS3.A: Natural resources
Nature's Water Filter

This activity demonstrates how soil acts as a physical and chemical filter for water.
  • 6-8
  • 9-12
 Activity ESS2.A: Earth materials and systems
Nitrogen Connection

All biological organisms require certain nutrients to live. In this activity, learn about nitrogen and use nitrate test strips to investigate some possible fates of nitrogen in soil.
  • 9-12
 Activity LS2.B: Cycles of matter and energy transfer in ecosystems
Nitrogen Cycle Game

Students play the role of nitrogen atoms traveling through the nitrogen cycle to gain understanding of the varied pathways through the cycle and the relevance of nitrogen to living things.
  • 3-5
  • 6-8
  • 9-12
 Activity ESS2.A: Earth materials and systems
Nourishing the Planet in the 21st Century

Nourishing the Planet High School Materials
Includes Teacher Background, activity masters, support materials.
  • 6-8
  • 9-12
 Activity ESS3.A: Natural resources
Nutrients needed for proper crop development

Reading and worksheet engaging students in the relationship between plant nutrient needs and sources.
  • 9-12
 Reading LS2.A: Interdependent relationships in ecosystems
Nutritious Nitrogen

Multimedia interactive explores how nitrogen is managed in agriculture. Includes explanations.
  • 9-12
 Interactive Website ESS3.A: Natural resources
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.
  • 6-8
  • 9-12
 Lab Experiment ESS3.A: Natural resources
Paint with Soil!

Students collect soil samples in a variety of colors, and use to create paints.
  • 3-5
  • 6-8
  • PreK-2
 Activity ESS3.A: Natural resources
Pedosphere (Soil)

Link to the GLOBE Program collection of soil instructional resources
  • 3-5
  • 6-8
  • 9-12
  • PreK-2
 Activity, Lab Experiment ESS2.A: Earth materials and systems
Perkin Through the Pores

Students determine the water holding and draining capacities of different soils and will investigate how organic matter increases the amount of water soil will hold.
  • 3-5
 Activity, Lab Experiment ESS2.C: The roles of water in Earth's surface processes
Plant and Soil Sciences e-library, Soil Genesis and Development, Lesson 3 - Soil Forming Factors

This lesson identifies the five major soil forming factors and discusses how they influence soil development.
  • 9-12
 Reading ESS2.A: Earth materials and systems
Prairie Soils

Prairie soils are very productive soils in temperate regions of the world. Prairie soils produce much of the food for the world
  • 3-5
  • 6-8
  • 9-12
 Reading LS2.A: Interdependent relationships in ecosystems

 

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