Purpose:

Is all soil the same?

Materials:

soil from 3 different areas of the yard, 3 jars with lids, water

Procedures:
 
 
 
 

1. Fill each jar half full with dirt. Label each jar describing where the soil came from. 

2. Pour in water until it nearly reaches the top of each jar. 

3. Place the lids on the jars and shake. 

4. Let the jars stand 25-30 minutes.

5. Hold a piece of paper against the side of each jar and draw a diagram of the different layers.

6. Label each layer based on its particle size.

7. Compare the diagrams.

To Ponder...
 
 
 
 

1. Are all of your diagrams the same? What does this tell you about the soil in your yard?

2. Would this information affect where you might plant things?

3. What kinds of problems do farmers face?