Earthworks
Earth System Science for Secondary Teachers

Sue Anne Berger (Earthworks 2001)
sberger@mines.edu

Digging in the DIRT

Who: Upper Elementary/Middle School Teachers

What: Develop lessons to introduce the study of soils.

Why: Give teachers ideas on how to do field studies where student are involved with hands-on activities.

Where: Colorado

When: During teacher workshops or in teacher classrooms

Constraints: Scheduling workshops for teachers in Rural, CO

Materials:
"Stuff" for digging DIRT (spade, field knife, baggies, etc.)
"Equipment" for testing soils (pH paper, soil testing kit)

Methods:

1. Discuss Content - Science Knowledge, introduce language
2. Demonstrate method/procedure
3. Teachers do an experiment/lesson

Integrate: Math (measurements), literature (reading about the area), social studies (culture and history)

Extensions: Have M.S. students share learning with elementary students

Sources of Materials: GPS, HACH soil analysis kit, stop watch, sand, silt, clay samples from Conservation office, Supplies to collect soil samples, system for sharing ideas between schools.

Plan of Action:

1. Contact schools to introduce concept
2. Arrange a schedule to do teacher workshops
3. Gather supplies
4. Go to sites and do workshop
5. Follow-up with teachers
6. Create a new M.S. Summer Workshop for Colorado School of Mines
7. Have Fun!