Background

Objectives

Students will compare seed germination in different soil types.
Students will make predictions, conduct and experiment, and create graphs.

Materials

5 pots per group
5 different types of soil (clay, sand, garden soil, potting mix, compost, manure, etc.)
Markers
Tape
Radish or other fast growing seeds
One copy of data sheet per group (page 1 and page 2)

Season

Fall, Spring

Group Size

Whole class

California State
Content Standards

I&E 4.a, 4.b, 4.c, 4.d, 4.e, 4.f

handful_of_soil_la

Germination is hard work for a seed. It works best when conditions are right in terms of temperature, water, etc. The type of soil that the seed is growing in also makes a difference. Hard, compacted soil is more difficult for the sprout to push through than nice loamy soil. Some plants need soil that will easily drain water, while other plants need soil that soaks up water and keeps it moist at all times.

Although the soil for this experiment is void of many living creatures, most soil contains millions of microscopic living creatures! Soil is not just the dirt, it is also all of the living things and the materials they make and change. There are levels of soil in the earth: ground level, topsoil, subsoil, weathered parent material, and bedrock.

Vocabulary

Germination: to sprout; to start growing

Attention Grabber

The teacher can use the clay & some water to “paint” his or her face! As the student’s come in they will already be curious about the day’s lesson! The teacher should make extra “paint” to put on the students too as they come into the classroom!

Garden Activity

Part 1-Setting up the Experiment

Discuss: What do plants need in order to grow (air, water, sunlight, soil/nutrients)? Where do plants get water and nutrients (from the soil)? Do you think different types of soil can affect how a seed and plant grow? How? Why?

Divide the class into small groups of 4-5 students.

Have the students fill 5 pots with 5 different types of soil. Make sure to label the pots with soil type and group name!
- Allow students to investigate the different types of soil by:Weighing the same amount (1 cup) on a scale
- Feeling, smelling each type
- Using a magnifying lens or microscope

Students should record this information on “It’s Just Dirt, Isn’t It?” handout.

Plant 5-10 seeds per pot (depending on the size of the pot). Make sure that each pot has the same number of seeds!

Water each pot with equal amounts of water. Students can practice using measuring equipment such as graduated cylinders and measuring cups.

Each group should decide on two factors to make predictions on. For example: How many seeds will germinate in each pot? How fast will the seedling grow in each pot? Which type of soil will dry out the fastest? Etc.

Each group should record their “question” or “factor”; and each group should make a prediction (hypothesis).

Part 2 Weekly Follow-ups

For three weeks, students can observe their pots everyday. (This should only take 5 minutes a day and can be done in a rotating style with individuals in the groups.) The pots need to be watered equally and regularly. (Three times a week is typical.)

After observing, students record their findings.

This information (or data) will be used to create a graph in each group based on what they chose as their question. The X-axis is the type of soil, the Y- axis is the variable (time of germination, number of seeds to germinate, time took to dry out soil, etc)

Download Materials

Student Worksheets

It's Just Dirt Experiment (Page 1)

It's Just Dirt Experiment (Page 2)