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Earthworks
Earth System Science for Secondary Teachers
Trauma to Earth's Epidermis
Who: 11th Research Science - Woodlin School - Colorado
What: Compare and contrast soils with salinity problems to soils without. Select cultivars of wheat that are saline tolerant by cloning for that variety. Demonstrate instrumentation techniques.
When: Fall - winter; 2001 - 2002
Where: Soils from wheat fields that have salinity. Soils from wheat fields without salinity. Woodlin School Lab.
Why: To Learn:
- How salinity affects the growth of wheat.
- How to measure the amount of salinity in the soil.
- To clone 5 varieties of wheat for salt tolerance at different salt concentrations.
Potential Barriers: none
Materials:
- soil from designated sites
- water
- knife
- tape measure
- baggies
- spade
- permanent marker
- flags
- topo map
- texture
- cloning chamber
- sterilizer
- culture tubes
- cloning media
- salt
- ion and pH meters
- petri plates
- seeds from wheat cultivars
Methods:
- Collect soils from sites designated as high salinity, and soils from normal fields.
- Test the soils for salinity and pH.
- Germinate seeds from 5 wheat varieties in culture media.
- Transfer seedlings into 3% salt media. Allow to adapt for 3 weeks.
- Transfer viable 3% seedlings into 6% and allow to adapt.
- Transfer viable 6% seedlings into 12%.
- Transfer any 12% seedlings into a vermiculite/soil pot.
Connections Between Other Projects:
To Life Science:
- What is the relationship of microbes (bacteria & fungi) and soil?
- Are some plants able to withstand salinity in their soil?
- How is the CRP affecting native grasses and wildlife?
- Does ground cover prevent the erosion of soil?
To Physical Science:
Is there a difference in the elemental N, P, K and the use of these in plants?
How do acids and bases affect soils?
Extensions: Change another factor and how it affects soil depth and composition.
Sources: Susan & Anita, CSU soil and crop science, & www.
Grant Ideas: Toyota Tapestry, Gifted and Talented, Whine, Bug Profs
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