Title Description Grade Level Lesson Type Core Idea
Earth's Interconnected Systems: Nitrogen

his activity uses a qualitative nitrate test to observe results of some conversions and transformations in the nitrogen cycle.
  • 9-12
 Activity ESS1.A: The Universe and its Stars
Elementary GLOBE Soils Module

Learning activities help students explore and describe soil, consider what is found in soil such as rocks, roots, critters, and organic material, and explain the importance of soil to plants and animals.
  • 3-5
  • PreK-2
 Activity ESS2.A: Earth materials and systems
Engineering and Urban Development

Almost all human structures (roads, houses, cities, energy and water supply structures…) are built on and in soil. Some are described here.
  • 3-5
  • 6-8
  • 9-12
 Reading ESS3.A: Natural resources
Envirothon - Resources for Team Advisors Use

This website offers a virtual training for Envirothon coaches covering soils. Provides powerpoints with notes. Also includes information on aquatics, forestry, and wildlife sections of the Envirothon. Powerpoint topics include classification of soils, redoximorphic features and hydric soils, soil consistence, capability classes (slope), erosion, and best management practices (and more).
  • 9-12
 Activity, Slides/Photos/Figures, Teacher's Guide ESS2.A: Earth materials and systems
Erosion

Web page with resources and information about different erosion processes.
  • 3-5
  • 6-8
  • 9-12
 Reading ESS2.A: Earth materials and systems
Erosion and Ground Cover Models

This demonstration shows the effect ground cover has on Soil Erosion.
  • 3-5
  • 6-8
 Activity ESS2.A: Earth materials and systems
ESRI GeoInquiries Tropical Deforestation

GIS activity exploring the deforestation in the Amazon
  • 6-8
  • 9-12
 Activity ESS3.C: Human impacts on Earth systems
Everything is Chemical

Short animated video describing how everything we consume is built from chemicals.
  • 6-8
 Video PS1.A: Structure of matter (includes PS1.C Nuclear Processes)
Exploring Seeds

A collection of lessons about seeds and plant growth for use with elementary students
  • 3-5
  • PreK-2
 Activity LS1.C: Organization for matter and energy flow in organisms
Factors of Soil Formation

Short tutorial-style resource relating soil formation to biomes. Includes good photos.
  • 6-8
  • 9-12
 Reading ESS2.A: Earth materials and systems
Farm to Table

In this activity, students use knowledge about the five food groups to plan and produce a group meal, and determine which ingredients were produced locally and which came from farther away.
  • 6-8
  • 9-12
 Activity ESS3.A: Natural resources
Feeding the World in 2050

An article about the challenges of feeding the world's ever-growing population.
  • 3-5
  • 6-8
  • 9-12
 Reading ESS3.A: Natural resources
Finding Slope

The slope of soil is an important property to consider when planting or building. Find slope with this activity.
  • 3-5
  • 6-8
  • 9-12
 Activity ESS2.A: Earth materials and systems
Forest Soils

Forest soils form where it is not too hot, and not too cold. The type of soil that forms depends on what type of vegetation grows. Includes slides and activities
  • 3-5
  • 6-8
  • 9-12
 Activity, Slides/Photos/Figures, Teacher's Guide ESS2.A: Earth materials and systems
Getting the Dirt on your State Soil

Step-by-step guide to identifying and exploring state soil series.
  • 9-12
 Slides/Photos/Figures ESS2.A: Earth materials and systems

 

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