This investigation will help you to:

1. Recognize that soil is often layered, and that soil layers (horizons) have particular characteristics (color, size of particles, etc.)
2. Discover that soil can contain both living and non-living components.
3. Interpret soil samples to evaluate how soil changes vertically and laterally in a region.
4. Recognize five factors that control the type of soil that forms, and use this information to explain why so many types of soil are possible.
5. Explain how the chemistry of a soil affects living things that depend on soil.
6. Design an investigation into the properties and nature of soil.

Sediment Deposition
TERC

Observe how sediments are deposited.

Healthy Soil
Cyber help for Organic Farmers

Observe all of the (living and nonliving) factors that make soil healthy.

Soil
USDA

Soil fact sheets.

Soil
USDA

State soil fact sheets.