SCIENCE INVESTIGATIVE ACTIVITY

DISCOVERING SOIL
SUB STRAND: Earth
Science
Science Understanding:
Deve!"#ent !$ t%e
Ge!s"%ere
YEAR LEVEL: 9
CURRICULU& OUTCO&ES:
ACSES020: Soil formation requires interaction between atmospheric, geologic,
hydrologic and biotic processes soil is composed of roc! and mineral particles,
organic material, water, gases and li"ing organisms
ALTERNATIVE CONCE'TION:
Soil that is currently around today must ha"e always been in this present
form#
Soil is made up of dirt$ nothing else%
&oc!s ne"er change, cannot be bro!en down and stay the same fore"er%
RESOURCES RE(UIRED )OR INVESTIGATION:
Soil samples
'arge bea!ers
(ater
Stirring rod
OVERALL INVESTIGATION OUTCO&ES:
)o disco"er that soil is composed or many di*erent types or organic and
inorganic material
Soil is constantly changing
)o de"elop an understanding of the process and forces in"ol"ed in ma!ing
soil
INTRODUCTION
STUDENTS 'REVIOUS *NO+LEDGE:
+iscuss with students any bac!ground they may ha"e on soil and its composition#
Also disco"er if students ha"e any !nowledge on the roc! cycle and the forces that
are dri"ing the ma!ing of soil,
'RE-ACTIVITY DISCUSSION:
Students are as!ed to collect a , cup sample of soil from home to bring into class
-osing some questions prior to the lesson for students to ponder$
.s soil /ust dirt0 )hen what1s dirt anyway000
.s soil ali"e or dead000
(hat is soil made from000
(UESTIONING AND 'REDICTING.
Students are as!ed to ma!e some predictions for this tas!, what will happen to the
soil sample after water is added0
.n addition students are as!ed what they thin! soil is composed of0 'ist all ideas#
ACTIVITY
)his acti"ity is to analyse soil composition and to in"o!e discussion on where soil is
deri"ed
.2S)&3C).42S
-lace soil sample into a large bea!er 2' bea!er or /ar
5ill bea!er with water and stir well with stirring rod or alternati"ely place a lid
on /ar and sha!e for a few minutes#
4bser"e the soil as it settles, what is happening0
6ea!ers will be left in the classroom o"ernight
'ROCESSING AND ANALYSIS DATA AND IN)OR&ATION
)he following day, students are as!ed to study the results#
(hat has happened to the sample0 (hat do they thin! each layer
represents0
(hat do they notice about the si7e of the particles0
'ROBLE&-SOLVING
8ow did soil become to be such a mi9ture of materials0
.f soil is composed or sand, silt, clay where did this material come from0
N!tes $!r "r!/e# s!ving and additi!na activities,
Some of the :nes will not settle ; <occulate with alum#
Can incorporate maths ; depth as percentage of composition#
'oo! at di*erent soil types0
'oo! at each layer under a microscope0
CONSOLIDATION TAS*:
)o follow this lesson there will be an acti"ity on the importance of organic matter in
soil# Students are as!ed to thin! about this and to brainstorm what type of
=bugs1 may li"e in the soil and their purpose#
RIS* ASSESS&ENT:
A ris! assessment for this acti"ity was conducted in accordance with the
>ueensland +epartment of Education, )raining and Employment &is! analysis
sheet#
4"erall this acti"ity has been deemed low ris!, with little chance of serious in/ury#