The
Experiment The
Experiment
Purpose:
The purpose of this soil experiment is to provide elementary students with the opportunity to experience gathering, testing, recording and interpreting data.
Question:
1. Which of four sites on a school campus has the most fertile soil?
2. Which of three school campuses has the most fertile soil?
Hypothesis:
Each student will form an original hypothesis based on their existing background knowledge.
Procedure:
1. At each individual campus, locate the 4 testing sites listed below.
2. Collect 1/2 cup of soil from the top 2 to 3 inches of soil.
3. The soil should be allowed to dry overnight and foreign matter should be removed.
4. Crush any lumps.
5. Collect soil from: under a tree, against the building, a raised bed and soccer or kickball field.
6. Each site should be tested for: pH, phosphorus, nitrogen, and potassium.
7. For the best results test the same sites once each season.
Results:
Graph the results of the tests for each site. Using the test kit guide, determine which site appears to have the greatest nutrients.
Conclusion:
Students accept or reject their hypotheses. Teacher facilitates a class discussion as to the validity of generalizing the findings to their neighborhood(s), the school district as a whole, and the region.
Author Information:
Lou Aguilar, Sandy Hughes, and Pam Jones teach gifted and talented elementary students in Texas for Denton ISD. The Dirt Dilemma fulfills a Woodrow Wilson environmental education workshop requirement.