Soil Properties

NC Standard:  2.02

Activity:  Absorbing Water

Question: What is the capacity of different soils to absorb water?

Vocabulary: clay, humus, sand, soil, water

Materials: scissors, clear plastic cups, paper towels, small pie pans, soil samples from different areas

Background: An important component of soil is the spaces between soil particles. These spaces are critical to plant growth, since that is where roots grow and moisture and air are trapped. Moisture facilitates the transfer of nutrients to the roots.

Procedure: 

Students need to collect 2 cups of soil. The soil should be from different locations - low or wet spots, baseball fields, gardens, lawns, under trees, or forested areas. This can be done on the school grounds or by having students bring a soil sample from a site around their home. Large zip lock baggies work well for collecting soil samples.

• 1. Have students put 6 holes around the bottom of a clear plastic cup.
• 2. Fill the cup with soil.
• 3. Place the cup of soil in the pie pan.
• 4. Pour 200 ml of water into your pie pan.
• 5. Observe your pie pan every 2 hours and record any changes.
• 6. How long did it take for your soil sample to absorb all the water?
• 7. Discuss your results with your class.
  

Conclusion: All soils are not the same. How much water the soil absorbs depends on the composition of the soil.
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Line of Learning:  This line is drawn to provide students with a space to share their experimental learning in words or pictures.
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