Let's Talk Dirt Activity

This activity from the Advanced Technology Environmental and Energy Center (ATEEC) is designed to provide a real-world application of the ATEEC Recommended Core Curriculum's math, science, technical, communications, or critical thinking knowledge and skill concepts, which have been identified as necessary preparation for environmental technology occupations. In this activity, students take a sample of soil, determine the percentage of the different types of soil particles it contains, and identify the soil using the Ternary Chart and/or the Color Identification Chart.

Math, Science, Technical Communication Knowledge/skill concepts addressed in the activity include the following:

• Math -
  • percentages of soils in sample by volume
  • percentages from soils identification chart
  • measurement of volume of sample
• Science -
  • classify soil components
  • identify soil horizons Technical -
  • chain of command
• Communication -
  • observation and communication of type of soil