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Dr. Dirt: Soils, Water, Ecosystems, and
Aquifers
Activities prepared for the WTAMU Math-Science Teacher's Conference, September 24, 2005 The Apple as Planet Earth: A quick, simple illustration using an apple to help students understand the importance and limited nature of the soil resource. This 1-minute video is found on the American Farmland Trust website (at the bottom). In case the link does not work, the url is: http://www.farmland.org/#. Scale model of a soil profile: A simple illustration that gives students an opportunity to take home their own microscale model of a real soil profile. It is possible to make this one as complex or simple as you desire. Consider using: Existing road cuts or stream banks on short field trips, 24 to 36" deep hole dug with a shovel in the school yard or lawn, a hole about 2 meters deep x 1 meter wide x 2 or 3 meters long dug by a backhoe, etc. The direct url is http://soils.usda.gov/education/resources/k_12/lessons/profile/. Several other educational activities are included at the parent site: http://soils.usda.gov/education/resources/k_12/. The one above is included in the lessons link. The Sponge Model: This uses a sponge to examine several soil properties related to agriculture, water, the environment, and engineering. Soil Is a Filter: This uses different soil types to examine the filtering ability of soil when exposed to contaminants How Soil Charges Work: This simple demonstration uses magnets and paperclips to examine the mechanism of soil charges. How Aquifers Hold (and Release) Water: This activity uses rocks, gravel, and coarse sand to visualize where water is stored in aquifers, and how it becomes available. Click on the links above to find the methods for each of the activities above. Visit Dr. Dirt's homepage to find other simple, educational activities suited for you classroom. http://www.wtamu.edu/~crobinson/DrDirt.htm Clay Robinson, Ph.D., alias Dr. Dirt Professor of Soil Science West Texas A&M University crobinson@mail.wtamu.edu office phone: 806.651.2553 fax: 806.651.2938 |