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Students test different characteristics of soil to determine how they impact plant growing capacity, or soil productivity. They test water-holding capacity, macronutrient content, ion-exchange capacity, particle distribution, permeability, and porosity. After analyzing the results of the investigations, students conduct a final investigation in which they develop an experimental plan for testing soil productivity by measuring healthy plant growth. Kit provides materials for 8 student groups.

Product Details
In this series of lab investigations, students test different characteristics of soil to determine how they impact plant growing capacity, or soil productivity. In addition to testing provided soils, students collect their own soil samples. They test water-holding capacity, macronutrient content, ion-exchange capacity, particle distribution, permeability, and porosity. After analyzing the results of the investigations, students conduct a final investigation in which they develop an experimental plan for testing soil productivity by measuring healthy plant growth. Kit provides materials for 8 student groups.

Unit Connection
This laboratory investigation correlates to Unit 4: Earth Systems and Resources, topic 4.3: Soil Composition and Properties in the AP® Environmental Science Course and Exam Description.

Standards Connection
This kit addresses the following AP® Environmental Science concepts:
Big Idea 2: Interactions Between Earth Systems (ERT). The Earth is one interconnected system. Natural systems change over time and space. Biogeochemical systems vary in ability to recover from disturbances.

• ERT-4 Earth systems interact, resulting in a state of balance over time.
• ERT-4.C Describe similarities and differences between properties of different soil types.
• ERT-4.C.1 Water-holding capacity—the total amount of water soil can hold—varies with different soil types. Water retention contributes to land productivity and fertility of soils.
• ERT-4.C.2 The particle size and composition of each soil horizon can affect the porosity, permeability, and fertility of the soil.
• ERT-4.C.3 There are a variety of methods to test the chemical, physical, and biological properties of soil that can aid in a variety of decisions, such as irrigation and fertilizer requirements.
• ERT-4.C.4 A soil texture triangle is a diagram that allows for the identification and composition of soil types based on their percentage of clay, silt, and sand.

Time Requirements
Teacher Preparation (before class):

• Prelab: 75 minutes
• Investigation 1: 20 minutes
• Investigation 2: 20 minutes
• Investigation 3: 20 minutes
• Investigation 4: 20 minutes
• Investigation 5: 20 minutes
• Investigation 6: 20 minutes
• Investigation 7: 90 minutes

• Prelab: 30 minutes
• Investigation 1—Water-Holding Capacity of Soil and Capillary Action of Soil: Day 1, 20 minutes; Day 2, 10 minutes
• Investigation 2—Analysis of Free Ions: Day 1, 10 minutes; Day 2, 20 minutes
• Investigation 3—Qualitative Analysis of Ion-Exchange Capacity: 30 minutes
• Investigation 4—Particle Size: Day 1, 10 minutes; Day 2, 20 minutes
• Investigation 5—Soil Permeability: 30 minutes
• Investigation 6—Soil Porosity: 20 minutes
• Investigation 7—Inquiry Investigation: Planning the Inquiries, 30 minutes; Performing the Inquiries: Setup, 50 minutes; Observations, 20 minutes/week
• Student Presentations: 50 minutes
• Free-Response Questions: 20 minutes

Digital Resources
Includes 1-year access to digital resources that support instruction. Digital resources may include teacher manual and student guide, prelab activities and setup videos, simulations, and postlab analysis and assessments.

Prior Knowledge and Skills
Students should be familiar with the following skills or concepts:

• Knowledge of the general composition of soil
• Knowledge of elements essential for plant growth
• Understanding of cation and anion interactions
• Knowledge of properties of water

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