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Investigation Question 2:
How can you separate a soil mixture?
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Preparation
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Teaching
and learning focus
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You can help your students investigate methods of separating soil.
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What you
will need
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For each group of four students:
- A clear cup of soil sample, dry
- A plastic spoon
- Forceps
- A small scoop, about ¼ cup capacity
- 2 tall clear plastic tumblers
- Water supply
- Paper towels
- Safety goggles for all
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Safety
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This investigation is considered generally safe to do with students. However, please review it for your specific setting, materials, students, and conventional safety precautions.
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Setting the
scene
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©
Lynn Betts, NRCS |
Three soil profiles show the differences in slightly eroded versus severely eroded soils in central Iowa. |
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Ask students to look at the picture of the soil samples above. Ask the students: Do all of these types of soil look alike? In what ways are they the same? Different? How could you separate the different parts of the soil mixture?
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Investigation
question
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After the scene is set, introduce your students to the investigation question: “How can you separate a soil mixture?”
Tell your students that they will be investigating this question and that at the end of their investigations, they will be able to provide reliable answers.
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What do your
students already know?
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Your students should be familiar with many types of mixtures, but may not have thought of different ways of separating these except for picking them apart manually (as people do with snack mixes or mixed nuts). They may need your help in coming up with ways of separating their soil mixture.
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