Soils Resources

Our writers recommended these independent websites as background information and content supplements for the Soils lessons.

The Dirt on Soil: What’s Really Going on Under the Ground

Each shovel of soil holds more living things than all the human beings ever born. Lots of species are still waiting for scientists to identify and name them. This is a world where fungi lay traps for thread-like worms and bacteria dine on toxic chemicals. The smaller the creature, the stranger are its habits. Dig into this underground universe and meet its tiny but helpful residents. Encourage students to click on the “Soil Safari” to micro-size themselves for a journey underground.(http://school.discoveryeducation.com/schooladventures/soil/)

S.K. Worm

This kid-friendly website sponsored by the United States Department of Agriculture encourages students to learn more about soil by following the Scientific Knowledge worm through a series of questions about soil. (http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/feature/education/squirm/skworm.html)

The Great Planet Escape: Soiled Again

This interactive website challenges students to act as detectives and learn about soil during the process. To solve a soil case, they must find out what soil is, why it is important, and in what kinds of soil plants grow. Happy digging! (http://urbanext.illinois.edu/gpe/case2/index.html)

Careful! Earthworms Underfoot

This website offers background information, at the student’s level,  of Dr. Dennis Linden interest in earthworms and his discovery of some less well-known facts about these helpful creatures, such as how well they adapt to different soils and temperatures. (http://www.ars.usda.gov/is/kids/soil/story2/goodworm.htm)

Underground Adventure

There’s more to soil than meets the eye. The world of soil is a rich habitat for many amazing creatures. What do you think life would be like if you lived underground? You’ve come to the right place to find out! In this interactive website, students can find out what it feels like to be a half inch tall, take a virtual tour underground, or enjoy some different underground activities. (http://archive.fieldmuseum.org/undergroundadventure/)

Soil Science Education

This terrific website on soils includes great information on soil, soil songs, a soil “activity of the month”, and much, much more! (http://soil.gsfc.nasa.gov/)

Types of Soil

This site tells about the formation and composition of soil, types of soil, soil profile,s and conservation of soil. Included are several experiments and activities designed to help you and your students discover and learn about soil characteristics. (http://library.thinkquest.org/J003195F/newpage4.htm)

Dirtland

Learn about the microbes living in the soil, on rocks, inside roots, buried under miles of Earth, in compost piles and toxic waste, and all over the Earth’s surface. (http://commtechlab.msu.edu/sites/dlc-me/zoo/zdmain.html)

Could You Live Here?

For students seeking a more challenging soil activity, this website offers an investigation about the heat absorption and transfer properties of various soils to make an inference about Martian soil. (http://www-k12.atmos.washington.edu/k12/modules/soils/index.html)