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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Florence, South Carolina » Coastal Plain Soil, Water and Plant Conservation Research » Docs » Outreach_2023 » Revised_Activities » Dirt is Dirt Part 2 Activity

Activity:

Dirt is Dirt! Part 2


 Images of samples of sand, clay, loam(potting soil), and a magnifying glass

Purpose:

 

To see that not all soil is the same.

Materials:

 

samples of sand, clay, loam(potting soil), and a hand lens

Procedures:
 
 
 
 

 

1.Use your senses to learn about each sample.

2. Make a chart like the one below to write down what you learn.

 
Soil Color Particle Size How does it feel? Sound? - rub sample against penny Smell
Loam _ _ _ _ _
Sand _ _ _ _ _
Clay _ _ _ _ _

 

 

To Ponder...
 
 
 
 

 

1. What makes them different? 

2. Why do you think sand is light and loam is dark?

3. Are the pieces of sand and the pieces of clay the same size?