Resources: Samples of different soils (for instance, peat soil, clay soil, sandy soil, silt soil, loam soil or chalky soil), beakers, filter paper, a funnel, a teaspoon and a magnifying glass.
Core Handout (2): A sheet for the children to investigate different types of soil and record their findings in a table. A descriptive guide is included to help the children identify their samples.
Enquiry Approach - Comparative / fair testing
Conducting a test that controls all but one variable to answer a scientific question.
Enquiry Skill - Observing and measuring
Using the senses and taking measurements, using a range of equipment, to make observations about a scientific enquiry.
Recap on the children’s prior learning by asking the following recall questions: What is a fossil? How is a fossil made?
The presentation will teach the children about different types of soil. They will learn that certain types of flowers and vegetables will grow better in different types of soil. They will also learn how it is important for farmers to understand this so they can grow crops more effectively.
Career Film: Take a tour around Widemouth Bay and The Etches Collection Museum on the Jurassic Coast to find out about Jonathan Turner's job. Jonathan works as the Head Geologist for Nuclear Waste Management Services.
Expert Film: This is Jonathan Turner. Jonathan works as the Head Geologist at Nuclear Waste Services. Jonathan explains why it is important to understand how soil is formed to do his job as he explores sites to build a Geological Disposal Facility.
Ask the children to carry out an investigation to test 4 different samples of soil. Give the children a selection of soil, such as peat soil, clay soil, sandy soil, silt soil, loam soil or chalky soil. First of all, ask the children to smell and observe the soil using a magnifying glass. Ask them to note down the soil’s texture and appearance. Next, ask the children to wet a sample of the soil to see how it acts. Once the children have done this, they should place some filter paper over a funnel and put the funnel over a measuring cylinder. Put a teaspoon of soil into the filter. Slowly add 15ml of water and then wait for 2 minutes. Once 2 minutes is over, ask the children to measure how much water the soil sample has held. Repeat this experiment for the other three samples, making sure it is a fair test each time. Ask the children to use the handout to compare their observations with the soil descriptions to identify their samples.
Challenge Task: Can the children research which type of soil certain flowers and vegetables grow better in?
Discuss the results of the children’s soil investigation. What did they find out? What was the difference between the 4 samples of soil?
Soil can be categorised into different types based on its physical, chemical, and biological properties. The following are some of the commonly recognised types of soil:
Sandy Soil: Sandy soil is characterised by its large particle size and low water-holding capacity. It is a well-draining soil, but it tends to be low in nutrients. It is commonly found in areas with low rainfall, such as deserts, and coastal regions.
Clay Soil: Clay soil has small particle size, which makes it heavy and sticky. It is high in nutrients, but has low drainage and aeration. It is commonly found in areas with high rainfall, such as tropical rainforests.
Silt Soil: Silt soil has intermediate particle size between sand and clay soils. It has good water-holding capacity and is high in nutrients. It is commonly found in river valleys and floodplains.
Loamy Soil: Loamy soil is a mixture of sand, silt, and clay particles. It is high in nutrients, has good water-holding capacity, and is well-draining. It is considered the ideal soil type for most plants and is commonly found in agricultural areas.
Peat Soil: Peat soil is a type of organic soil that forms from the accumulation of dead plant material in wetlands. It is high in organic matter and has low fertility. It is commonly found in areas with high rainfall, such as bogs and fens.
Chalky Soil: Chalky soil is a type of alkaline soil that is formed from the weathering of chalk and limestone rocks. It is well-draining and high in calcium, but tends to be low in nutrients. It is commonly found in areas with chalk and limestone bedrock.
Saline Soil: Saline soil is a type of soil that has a high concentration of salt. It is generally not suitable for plant growth because the high salt concentration can cause plant dehydration and nutrient imbalances. It is commonly found in coastal areas and arid regions.
These are just a few examples of the many different types of soil that exist. Each soil type has its own unique properties and characteristics, and understanding these differences is important for successful plant growth and agricultural production.