PS1.B: Chemical reactions

Composting is the decomposition of organic waste materials in the presence of water, air, and microorganisms to produce organic fertilizer. Learn how to construct a simple compost bin, creating the right environment for microbial decomposition.

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.

This website offers a virtual training for Envirothon coaches covering soils. Provides powerpoints with notes. Also includes information on aquatics, forestry, and wildlife sections of the Envirothon. Powerpoint topics include classification of soils, redoximorphic features and hydric soils, soil consistence, capability classes (slope), erosion, and best management practices (and more).

This activity demonstrates that soil color can tell us a lot about a particular soil and the environment.

his activity uses a qualitative nitrate test to observe results of some conversions and transformations in the nitrogen cycle.

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

Short animated video describing how everything we consume is built from chemicals.

This reading provides a quick overview of soil chemistry and why it is important to soil processes.

Reading describing causes and impacts of soil salinity

Reading and worksheet engaging students in the relationship between plant nutrient needs and sources.