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Earthworks
Earth System Science for Secondary Teachers
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:
- Discuss Content - Science Knowledge, introduce language
- Demonstrate method/procedure
- 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:
- Contact schools to introduce concept
- Arrange a schedule to do teacher workshops
- Gather supplies
- Go to sites and do workshop
- Follow-up with teachers
- Create a new M.S. Summer Workshop for Colorado School of Mines
- Have Fun!
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