My Science Box

Time

Day 1: Optional: 5 min discuss soil observation homework from last night 10 min observe samples of different soil ingredients 30-40 min conduct soil quality tests

Day 2 (several days later): 15 min complete observations of Tullgren Funnel and soil separation tests 30 min discuss results and draw conclusions about "healthy" versus "unhealthy" soil

* Since the Tullgren Funnel and soil separation tests take several days, it is recommended to start Day 1 on a Friday and complete Day 2 on a Monday. *

Grouping
2-3 students

Materials
For each group of students:

• 4 petri dishes
• 2 funnels (card stock paper rolled and taped into a funnel shape and cut to 4-6 inches tall may be substituted)
• 2 funnel holders to hold funnels upright above a Petri dish (card stock paper rolled into a tube works well or you can eliminate the Petri dish as well by using a cup that the body of the funnel rests in as long as the bottom tip of the funnel does not touch the bottom of the cup)
• 2 square of cheesecloth
• 2 strips pH paper
• 2 white paper towels
• 2 clear 15 ml tubes with lids, glass or plastic

For whole class to share:

• Clay in ziplock bag
• Sand in ziplock bag
• Silt in ziplock bag
• Compost in ziplock bag
• 8 large plastic cups
• 8 plastic spoons
• 2 graduated cylinders
• 2 tablespoons
• 2 rulers
• 2 different types of soil (The more different the texture, composition, and organism content of the 2 soils, the better. For example, try soil from the school yard vs. store-bought potting soil, a clay soil vs. a sandy soil, or rich garden soil vs. soil from an abandoned lot.)
• 3-4 bare light blubs hung or mounted approximately 1 foot from the table top (desk lamps work well)
• 1 small jar alum (available at supermarkets for pickling)
• 2 magnifying glasses
• 1 package removable dot labels or rolls of masking tape

Setting
classroom