Students have been hard at work planning soil experiments. We began last week by reading one of my favorite science book, 11 Experiments That Failed. Students discovered that all experiments had these parts:
They wrote a question, formed a hyposthesis, wrote a materials list, procedural steps, an even planned out how they would organize their data! Today we began our experiments! Take a look:
They wrote a question, formed a hyposthesis, wrote a materials list, procedural steps, an even planned out how they would organize their data! Today we began our experiments! Take a look:
They wrote their own questions, formed their own hyposthesis, wrote a materials list, procedural steps, and even planned out how they would organize their data (charts, pictures, observational notes)! Today we began our experiments! Take a look:
They discovered the coolest thing! They told me that as the particle size got smaller (from sand to silt to clay), the soil held more water! They they discovered tiny soil particles in the water that drained from the clay soil. The water was colored red after it drained. They decided (inferred) that the clay particles were so tiny, they even passed through the filter paper!
This group's question: What is soil made of? They took samples of soil that students brought in from home, filled the containers halfway with soil, and then to the top with water. Then shook each 60 times. They recorded pictures before and after. Students were so excited to notice dead decayed organisms in the sample of humus. It was actually floating at the top! They also saw that some soil samples were loam (a mixture), because the larger particles (sand) settled first while the smaller particles (clay) took longer to settle and make the water look "cloudy". We can't wait to observe them tomorrow to see what they look like after settling over night!
This group's question: What type of soil/water do plants grow best in? They planted the same number and kinds of seeds in each sample. They are controlling the amount of water, light, and soil in the cups. Students cannot wait to see which seeds sprout first, and then which grow the best! They decided that millimeters would work best to measure and record their data with.
I am so proud of my scientists!