Lesson 3: Center 1 – Water Erosion Materials: 2 large disposable aluminum lasagna pans, some good old fashioned dirt, a watering can, a magnifying glass, 2 or 3 books or wooden boards about 1/2-inch thick, a pair of pointy scissors Directions: 1. Pour the dirt into one of the pans so that it makes a layer on the bottom 2 to 3 inches deep. Smooth the soil out so that it is as even as possible on the top. 2. Examine the soil closely with the magnifier. Touch it and run it through your fingers. What is the soil made of? Does it all feel the same? How do you think the different soil parts would react if water was poured on them? 3. Place the second pan under the end of the dirt-filled pan where the holes are. (The second pan will catch the water as it leaves the top pan.) 4. Slip 2 or 3 books under the other end of the dirt- filled pan so that it is propped up about 2 inches higher than the end with the holes punched in it. 5. Pour water from the watering can into the raised end of the dirt-filled pan. 1. What happens to the surface of the dirt when the water first hits it? ______

2. What happens to the water that comes out of the dirt-filled pan and collects in the second pan? ______

3. Do all the soil particles get pushed equally by the water? ______

4. Do you think it matters if the soil starts out wet or dry? ______

5. WHAT IF you added a few more books under the pan to make a steeper slope? What do you think would happen? ______Lesson 3: Center 2 – How Much Water Can Different Soils hold? Materials: Styrofoam cups, skewer, measuring cup, 4 different types of soil (sandy, clay, loam, gravel), water Directions: 1. Put 4 or 5 small holes in the bottom of a Styrofoam cup (using the skewer). 2. Put 125ml of soil into the cup. 3. Hold the cup over another Styrofoam cup and pour 125ml into the soil. 4. Measure the amount of water that drips out. 5. Repeat this procedure for each soil type and record your observations in the data table. 6. Create a bar graph to show your findings. Which soil do you predict will HOLD the MOST water? ______Data Table Soil Type or Amount of Water Description Absorbed

Amount of Water Absorbed by Different Soils

0 Lesson 3: Center 3 – Improving Soil Condition Materials: sandy or rocky soil, peat, mulch, Styrofoam cups, skewer, stirring stick, measuring cup. INFO: Soils that do not retain water well can be improved by adding certain components. By doing this we can increase the moisture absorption of soil and therefore increase plant growth. Directions: 1. Put 4 or 5 small holes in the bottom of each Styrofoam cup (using the skewer). Label 1, 2, 3. 2. Put 125ml of sandy or rocky soil into each cup. 3. In cup 2, mix in 4 TABLESPOONS of peat and in cup 3, mix in 4 TABLESPOONS mulch. 4. Hold each cup over another Styrofoam cup and pour 125ml into the soil in each cup. 5. Measure the amount of water that drips out from each cup. 6. Record your observations in the data table and create a bar graph. Data Table Specimen Amount of Water Absorbed Cup 1 Cup 2 Cup 3 Amount of Water Absorbed by Different Soils

0 Lesson 3: Center 4 – Moisture and Soil Changes Materials: containers for soil, measuring cup, 4 different types of soil (sandy, clay, loam, gravel), water, worksheet. Directions: 1. Complete the “WHEN DRY” section of your chart for each soil sample. 2. Put 125ml of soil into each container. Add 50ml of water and stir. 3. Complete the “WHEN WET” section of your chart for each soil sample. 4. Answer the questions below. WHEN DRY WHEN WET Colour, Texture, Ability to hold Colour, Texture, Ability to hold Type of Soil Size of particles together Size of particles together

1. Which soil sample had the most colour change? ______2. Which soil sample had the most texture change? ______3. Which soil sample had the most change in its ability to hold together? ______4. What can you conclude about moisture in soils? ______Lesson 3: Center 5 – Technology: Exploring Soils Materials: computer, worksheet Directions: 1. Visit the soils website and explore the various links on the RESOURCES page. 2. Leave 5-10 minutes at the end to write some things you discovered (or you could do it as you go so you don’t forget!) Today, I discovered ______