_________________________________________________________

I am a Scientist

Soil Types and Plant Growth What soil type is best suited for plant growth? Loam, sand, clay and pebbles Follow the instructions to complete the experiments. EXPERIMENT 1: Investigate different types of soil

Ask a question. Which soil has the best texture for growing plants?

Make a prediction (hypothesis). I predict that ___________________________________is best for growing plants because _______________________________________________I predict that __________________ is the worst soil for growing plants because ____________________________

______________________________________________

2

Observations. Use your senses! Sand Clay Pebbles Loam

What I see

What I feel

What I smell

Results and conclusion. I learned that _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

3

Experiment 2: Water Absorption

Let’s prove it. Experiment – in your table groups Materials: 4 coffee filters, 4 different soil samples (150mL), measuring cups, water, funnel

1. Place 150 mL of each soil type into its own coffee filter.

2. Place one of the filters into the funnel, and place the funnel on the measuring cup.

3. Slowly pour 150 mL of water through the soil. 4. Record your observations

Observations. Soil Amount of Amount of Amount of

Make a prediction (hypothesis). I predict that ___________________will absorb the most water. I think this because __________________________________________________________________I predict that __________________ will absorb the least amount of water. I think this because ______________________________________________________________________________________________

Results and conclusion. I learned that _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

4

Experiment 3: Planting Grass in Different Types of Soil

Observations. Soil Amount of Amount of Amount of

Ask a question. How will different types of soil affect the growth of the plants?

Make a prediction (hypothesis). I predict that the grass will grow best in the _________________ soil because ________________________________________________________________. I predict that the grass will grow the worst in the ________________ soil because _________________________________________________________________.

Let’s prove it. Experiment – in your table groups Materials: 4 paper cups, 4 different types of soil (loam, clay, pebbles, sand)

1. Label the four paper cups as “Loam”, “Clay”, “Pebbles” and “Sand”.

2. Fill each of the four cups with the same amount of the indicated soil.

3. Layer grass seeds above soil and cover lightly with soil.

4. Add 15 mL of water to each cup. 5. Place the cups in a warm, sunny place. 6. Monitor your cups each day to make sure the soil

does not get dry. If the soil is dry, add the same amount of water to each cup.

7. Record observations weekly. 8. Answer all questions in your Science Journal

throughout your investigation.5

Observations. Soil After One

WeekAfter Two Weeks

After Three Weeks

Sand

Loam

Clay

Pebbles

6

Results and conclusion. Which soil was best for growing grass? Was your prediction right? Why do you think it was the best soil? _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

7