The Process

Part 1

First you must think about how you are going to design an experiment to test how much water soil can hold. Luckily you have 2 or 3 of your friends or classmates to help you. Lets see what they think before going any further.

Jill says that the grains in sandy soil are so
big that water runs through quickly.

This won't be much use to Gran unless she wants
plants which need very little water.

'I don't think the size of soil grains makes
much difference to how quickly the water runs through.' says Jo.
'I don't think you're right Jo.' says John. 'Clay soil is often waterlogged and the grains are small. I reckon we will have to think again.'

John thinks it might be an idea to get a Planning Sheet at this stage and sort it out properly. We need to think about:-

  • What is it we are trying to find out?
  • What do we already know about soils?
  • How do we plan a Fair Test?
  • What will we keep the same and what will be changed?
  • How will we measure, observe and record results?

 

Part 2

Jill thinks they need more information about Rocks and Soils at this stage. She decides to visit some web sites that are listed below and make notes which will help her write the 'Garden Advice' for Gran.

She is trying to find out information on;-

  • Types of soils and rocks, and how water travels through them.
  • Plants that grow in different soil types.
  • Ways in which Gran can improve the soil in her garden.

 

Site 1. The BBC's Website 'The Essential Guide to Rocks' This is a brilliant site and has loads of infomation about nearly everything to do with rocks. This Rock Primer will tell you how different rocks are formed and is a good starting point.

Site 2. This site has useful worksheets on Rocks and Soils to help you. It has ideas about experiments and how to carry them out.

Site 3. This site is one of the best yet and explains about different types of soils and information about their structure. Unfortunately, you cannot log on without a password as your school needs to subscribe to the service. Click here for more information.

Site 4. This is Mr Rotavator's site and may give you some information about 'Organic Gardening'. This section tells you how to improve poor soils. For anyone interested in plants and gardening this is a super site. At 27th December 2001 the site was still under re-construction, but try it to see if it is running.

Site 5. This is a brilliant site for gardeners and will help you to advise Gran on plants for her garden. Go into 'Search' and choose 'plants'. In the 'For' column choose 'dry soils'.

 

Jill can now help the boys with the experiment. She has answers to all the following questions? Have the sites given you all the answers to these questions? If not, you might want to use the library or any other source to get the answers.

  • Are you going to use more than one soil type?
  • Are you going to measure the amount you pour into the soil and the amount that comes through the filter paper?
  • Do you need to time it ? Why?
  • What does this tell you?
  • How are you going to record the results?

When you have answers to all the above, ask your teacher for the equipment you need and get started. Here is a Record Sheet to help you with the experiment.

Take care with glass and chemicals!!

Wear safety goggles and do exactly as your teacher tells you for the experiments.

Here is a Safety Sheet for you to consider the risks.

 

 

 

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