This lesson was provided by Sandy Greene, Conservation Educator, Headwaters Soil and Water Conservation District, Augusta County.
Overview
We host annual field days for several schools, where we conduct multiple learning stations for students. This station was designed for sixth graders, at the request of teachers who requested a lesson on soils and mapping. Each learning station consists of:
17 students and 3-4 adults
1/2 hour, presented 6 times
Objectives
1. In pairs, using laminated topo and soils maps, students will locate themselves and identify the soil type codes. They will be exposed to their soil survey, and some of the detail of the description of the soil. Geologic and more recent history are briefly related.
2. After a demonstration, the students will disperse with soil augers in pair or threes, to dig as deep a hole as possible in the field, and to bring the buckets of soil to a large tarp for laying out into horizons. All donations gratefully received, with much use of soil terminology, and challenges to bring up some of that next _layer.
3. For closure, students gather around the tarp while we construct a "parfait" in a dessert glass, that represents the layers in miniature of soil in this area, and we compare what we found to the soil survey description.
4. Students then assess whether this land would percolate well enough for septic, and speculate on the best uses of the land for the owner (Augusta County).
SOL's adressed
LS7 (a & b)
LS10 (b)
LS12(e)
Meaningful Water Experience definition:
"Experiences are investigative, where students use equipment...and make observations for the purpose of making interpretations and reaching conclusions." Our objectives plan for a preparation phase (mapping and historical chat), action phase (digging with augers and making profiles), and reflective phases (building the parfait horizon and assessing land use and septic conditions.) The soils experience considers the watershed as a system, with intentional connections made to water quality and the larger ecological system.
Resources
We use the USGS topographic maps and USDA soil survey maps of the area, Munsell color chart and various augers scrounged from local agencies, a 15 x 10 plastic tarp, parfait glass, straws for well and septic, monopoly hotel for cherry, shaving cream for whipped cream, quilts to sit on for map work, flags to mark trail to stations, handwashing station when departing.
Extensions
Students are told that Soils Surveys are free, and they can do the same for their own homes.