Lessons and Activities Search


We've curated a collection of lessons, hands-on activities, labs, readings, and more - all about soils and topics related to soils – in this searchable database. Some are posted directly by SSSA others we have reviewed and recommend. While they are not officially endorsed, we found them to have high quality materials for lessons and activities at different grade levels. And, you can save items of interest to a custom binder (you’ll need to create an account to access this feature).

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Next Generation Science Standards
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Title
Grade
Type
Binder
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Where in the World of Soils ... Soil Types and Regions

Soils around the world vary in color, texture, structure, and chemical, physical, and biological composition. Slides and activities on soil orders



Next Generation Science Standards

Discipline: Earth and Space Sciences
Core Idea: ESS2.A: Earth materials and systems
6-8
9-12
Activity
Slides/Photos/Figures
Teacher's Guide
Nutritious Nitrogen

Multimedia interactive explores how nitrogen is managed in agriculture. Includes explanations.



Next Generation Science Standards

Discipline: Earth and Space Sciences
Core Idea: ESS3.A: Natural resources
9-12
Interactive Website
SoilWeb: An Online Soil Survey Browser

This interactive map allows you to explore USDA-NCSS soil survey data for locations throughout most of the U.S. It is compatible with smartphones, tablets, and desktop computers.



Next Generation Science Standards

Discipline: Earth and Space Sciences
Core Idea: ESS2.A: Earth materials and systems
6-8
9-12
Interactive Website
Story Map: The Living Land

the fundamental “problem” -- is there enough land for everything?



Next Generation Science Standards

Discipline: Earth and Space Sciences
Core Idea: ESS3.A: Natural resources
6-8
9-12
Interactive Website
Story Map -- A World Of Forests

Explains importance of trees to human sustainability, includes graphics, maps and photos



Next Generation Science Standards

Discipline: Earth and Space Sciences
Core Idea: ESS3.C: Human impacts on Earth systems
3-5
6-8
Interactive Website
Web Soil Survey

Web Soil Survey (WSS) provides soil data and information produced by the National Cooperative Soil Survey.



Next Generation Science Standards

Discipline: Earth and Space Sciences
Core Idea: ESS2.A: Earth materials and systems
6-8
9-12
Interactive Website
BiomeViewer

HHMI BioInteractive BiomeViewer available online or Ipads



Next Generation Science Standards

Discipline: Life Sciences
Core Idea: LS2.A: Interdependent relationships in ecosystems
6-8
9-12
Interactive Website
State Soil Booklets

Interactive map of state soil series with booklets for each state.



Next Generation Science Standards

Discipline: Earth and Space Sciences
Core Idea: ESS2.A: Earth materials and systems
6-8
9-12
Interactive Website
Investigating the Uses of Backyard Bacteria

In this lab, students learn how to select for protein-digesting bacteria from various soil samples. After isolating the colonies, students are then encouraged to investigate ways to test the effectiveness of their specimens in breaking down protein stains on clothing.



Next Generation Science Standards

Discipline: Physical Sciences
Core Idea: PS1.B: Chemical reactions
9-12
Lab Experiment
Soils in the Amazon

In this lesson, students will study plant growth in soils with different nutrients and physical compositions. By examining data, students will come to understand the effects of nutrient depletion in the Amazon and the impact of tree and plant removal from Amazon soils.



Next Generation Science Standards

Discipline: Earth and Space Sciences
Core Idea: ESS2.A: Earth materials and systems
6-8
9-12
Lab Experiment
Soil Salinization Lab

Lab investigate of seed germination



Next Generation Science Standards

Discipline: Earth and Space Sciences
Core Idea: ESS3.C: Human impacts on Earth systems
9-12
Lab Experiment
Keeping Soil in Its Place

Students will demonstrate rain drop splash (splash erosion) and determine its impact on bare soil, ultimately being able to identify types of erosion.



Next Generation Science Standards

Discipline: Earth and Space Sciences
Core Idea: ESS2.C: The roles of water in Earth's surface processes
3-5
Lab Experiment
Measuring Soil Microbial Activity

Activity to measure the amount of microbial activity in the soil.



Next Generation Science Standards

Discipline: Earth and Space Sciences
Core Idea: ESS2.E: Biogeology
6-8
9-12
Lab Experiment
Science Fair Projects & Experiments

Collection of soil related projects and experiments for all grades.



Next Generation Science Standards

Discipline: Earth and Space Sciences
Core Idea: ESS2.A: Earth materials and systems
PreK-2
3-5
6-8
9-12
Lab Experiment
Unlocking the Untapped Antibiotic Potential of Soil Microbes

This activity provides an introduction to the concepts of antibiosis, hormesis, and microbial ecology; and the types of microbe-microbe interactions, the history of the discovery of antibiotics, and the need for new antibiotics.



Next Generation Science Standards

Discipline: Earth and Space Sciences
Core Idea: ESS3.A: Natural resources
9-12
Lab Experiment