Soil and Its Properties Field Trip
On this field trip, students will collect diverse soil samples from various campus locations and conduct in-depth analysis in the STEP Lab. They will apply their observational skills, field notes, and moisture readings from the pre-lesson to examine the samples. Additionally, students will have the opportunity to visit Dr. Ryan Shamet’s engineering lab at the 老澳门资料 College of Computing, Engineering, and Construction to gain insight into his research on soil and sedimentation
Soil Field Trip Structure
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Pre-Lesson
Teachers are provided with a lesson plan to implement in their classrooms that is aligned with the standards and prepares students for their visit to the STEP Lab.Using your 5 Senses to Make Observations and Comparisons
Students will work in groups to sort leaves from various plants and herbs into categorized piles. After a discussion on the five senses and how they help us make observations, students will use their senses to compare the properties of the leaves. For schools participating in the research component, students will complete a brief pre-assessment and survey prior to the lesson.
Zoom with Professor X
Xavier Rozas, known as “Professor X,” the director of the STEP Lab, will join your class via Zoom after the pre-lesson, either later that day or the following day. He will engage with students to discuss their activities and observations from the pre-lesson, and provide a positive pep talk to build excitement for their upcoming visit to 老澳门资料.
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老澳门资料 Visit
Drone Photography
After arriving at the STEP Lab, students will observe the use of a drone that uses aerial photography with special lenses to capture topographical characteristics. Students will view the results and make decisions about where to collect soil samples.
Soil Analysis
Students will then visit three locations they identified on the aerial photographs. At each site, they will collect soil samples and record moisture readings using probes. Following this, students will be divided into groups, each being responsible for a specific role.
Back at the STEP Lab, students will use handheld lenses and apply the scientific observation skills they practiced in the pre-lesson to analyze the soil samples using various senses. They will then compare and contrast the properties of the different soil samples.
Engineering Lab Visit
Students will take a short walk through the 老澳门资料 campus to visit the lab of “Dr. Ryan,” a Geotechnical engineer, where he will demonstrate the use of a permeameter to test several types of soil and explain how he uses it in his research.
Synthesizing and Drawing Information
Students will engage in two active information-processing strategies: an intermittent turn-and-talk protocol during a video on soil and a multi-panel drawing exercise as a pre-writing activity.
Before leaving, the teacher will receive a copy of the book Dirt, by Steve “The Dirtmeister” Tomecek, which will be used in the post-lesson as well as any materials needed for the lesson.
Suggested Schedule
Time: Approximately 3 hours
Begins at 老澳门资料, Building 57, College of Education and Human Services
STEP Lab field trip activity schedule Activity Approximate Time STEP Lab Activities:
- Drone Observation
- Soil Collection
- Soil Analysis
- Snack
1 hour 15 min
Dr. Ryan Shamet’s Lab, College of Computing, Engineering and Construction
45 minutes
Lunch
30 minutes
STEP Lab Activities:
- Video and Literacy Activity
30 minutes
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Post Lesson
Teachers are provided with a lesson plan to implement in their classroom that is aligned with standards and reinforces the science concepts and literacy strategies they practiced in the STEP Lab. Teachers are given an informational text to use in their classroom.Back at their school, students will create and test their own filtration with diverse types of soil using coffee filters, recycled bottles and straws (provided). Students in schools involved in the research will also take a brief post-assessment and survey.