My students want to Study Soils Scientifically. My students will study the properties of different types of soils in the context of preparing a school garden. They will investigate soil profiles, organic and inorganic components, and the use of fertilizers in the soil.
I teach 150 students in a rural area in the Midwest.
My students are very interested in making a difference in "their" world. They learn best when we get our hands involved in the learning process. We have the ability to work in and around several park systems with a vast array of opportunities to study our earth. Our study of soil will simulate field sampling of solid data where the composition can be mapped and compared to other regions in our state.
My Project
Students develop skills of observation and scientific language as they become familiar with the equipment we use. They will be introduced to a problem wherein a school garden will not grow plants. They will come up with a definition of soil and what it contains. Students will research the composition of soil, with topics such as the role of particle size of weathered rocks, and organic material. Students will then be able to use scientific skills to describe the texture, consistency and color of the soils in order to identify our school soil before planting in the spring and make the necessary changes to produce the best harvest.
This is "real" science with students as the scientists making an impact on something that is important to our community.
Students will have a life lasting experience opening the possibilities of future careers available in the community of science.
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