Shannon O’Connell

Erosion and Soil Types:

A Student-Centered Lab8th Grade Earth Science

Highlights from the Lab…Lesson Objective: Upon completion of the lab, students will hold a firm understanding of the effects of water and capillary cohesion of multiple soil type samples and how this effects erosion.

Some soil samples are provided by the students themselves from their own neighborhoods.

Students work collaboratively in groups towards forming a hypothesis about the soil types involved in the experiment.

Students also learn how to test their hypothesis through experimentation.

21st century technologies are used to analyze moisture content of the soil, via soil moisture data probes, then the variable experiment results are entered into a data spreadsheets for analytical use.

(Vernier Software and Technology, 2012; USGS, 2010).

Student-centered labs allow for students to develop their own ideas

and notions through exploration.

The Experiment…

1) Pack premeasured amounts of each soil type sample into the pan traps provided.

2) Indicate the approximate degree of angle (slope) used in your experiment for each of the soil types (Note: your angle should remain consistent for each of your soil types).

3) Spray each sample of soil being tested with the provided water until the desired moisture content is reached. You will be using your moisture data probes for this step.

4) Record your data on the spreadsheet and indicate the degree of slope stability at each moisture content level indicated. Use a scale of 1 – 10. One being the most stable and ten being the least stable.

Erosion and Soil Types

(Vernier Software and Technology, 2012).

The soil moisture data probe is designed to measure the volumetric water content of soil and material (Vernier Software and Technology, 2012).

Such a technological tool can be used to control the variable of water content during the experiment.

The USGS uses similar soil moisture data probes today to study erosion.

Incorporating 21st Century Technology

(USGS, 2010).

Worksheets are used to help guide student’s thinking while providing direction.

Designating student’s roles within each group helps to provide structure and ordinance while allowing each student to assume an active role in their learning.

An inquiry-based approach towards learning about erosion and various soil types provides valuable life-long knowledge.

Hummm….the looser and coarser the texture of the soil, the greater the slope stability?

Students implement the use of 21 century technology skills when entering variable experiment results into a data spreadsheets, where they will be able to analyze their experiment’s results.

Questioning helps students to analyze their results and formulate a final report .

Upon Completion of the Lab…

Students gain a greater understanding about erosion and slope stability through analyzing the multiple soil type samples at various soil moisture content levels.

Such knowledge can be transferred to future lessons within the unit as erosion via mass wasting is discussed.

A deeper understanding is achieved as the real-world experiment pertains directly to the student’s surrounding environment.

Students engage in a deeper level of thinking as they implement scientific method through forming a hypothesis, conducting an experiment, analyzing results, and reflecting upon their findings.

21st century skills are gained that will help students compete in the

global economy we live in today.