Earth and Space Sciences: Investigating Soils Week 5 and 6 Term 1

Earths surface changes over time as a result of natural processes and human activity. One way we can
learn about this by investigating the characteristics of soils.

What is soil made of?

To most people, soil is just dirt. But soil is much more than this. There are four main things in soil
air, water, organic material and inorganic material. But here is one other thing that scientists who
study the earth say that soil must have to be soil: Bacteria.

Bacteria: tiny organisms that help to break down organic matter and turn it into useful chemicals
that help make the soil rich.
Air: creates spaces
Water: gives moisture
Organic Material: plant and animal matter that has decayed or rotted
Inorganic Material: not from plants and animals like sand and minerals
We will examine some different soil samples from our local area In week 5, we will examine soil
in the Portrush Forest Quarry. We will use trowels and sieves. This will be sample 1
In Week 6 we will examine different soils.
Characteristics of soils
Observations Sample 1 Sample 2 Sample 3
What do you notice?

Colour

Texture

Size and shape

Smell

Look through the

magnifying glass
and describe what
you see
 Earth and Space Sciences: Soil Investigation Week 6 and 7
Term 1

We are learning about characteristics of soils and the sedimentation process.

Watch : The Dirt on Dirt https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=if29mjcd5bc
and What is Soil? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I6HGPoQ3dZY

What have you learned about soil and the layers of soil? write and draw

Science Inquiry Skills:

We are learning to:
Identify questions, investigate them scientifically and predict what might happen.
Plan and conduct investigations to find answers to questions.
Compare results with predictions.
Discuss whether a test was fair or not

Our science question:

What happens when we mix soil with water and leave it for one week?

1. Measure 0.5 cup of soil - each group will do one container using either sample 1, 2 or 3
2. Measure the weight of the jar using the balance use tare (set to zero)
3. Make a funnel with an A4 piece of paper and use it when you tip your
soil into the container and weigh your soil. Our soil is: Sample.
4. Add 0.5 cup of water to the clear container
5. Screw on the lid and shake until all the soil and water are mixed It weighs.
6. Write your name and soil number on the lid sticker and place into the
tray.
We are going to change We are going to keep the same We are going to measure

7. Do not touch the containers until one week later.

What do you predict?

I think that

What did you notice? (after one week)

I saw the

Is your result similar to your prediction?

How do we know we have done a fair test?

Is there another question we can investigate?

Earth and Space Sciences: Investigating Soil Week 7
Term 1
We are learning about characteristics of soils and the sedimentation process.
Watch Soil A Hidden Resource
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YdBpLfhuZuk&list=PLyv2sudQhZoPHV7KUZ6HaUkhuynEXqNn3&index=35

Use magnifying glasses to help you examine the soil and water mix in jars. Look very carefully

What do you notice about your soil and water jar that has been left to rest since last week?

Draw a diagram of your jar and add as much detail as you can - include a title (sample number) and
labels.

Can you explain what you have noticed and what might have happened?

Look at other samples and compare them to yours what do you notice about the three samples?
What is the same and what is different?
 Name___________________________________Class________________
Earth and Space Sciences: Investigating Changes to the Surface of the Earth Week 8 Term 1

We are learning learn that Earths surface changes over time as a result of natural processes and
human activity. We can find evidence of geological change in local landforms such as those at
Hallet Cove Conservation Park and from rocks or fossils.

Hallet Cove Conservation Park

Is an amazing beach side park about 40 minutes south of Adelaide.
There is an interpretative walking trail describing the park's cultural and geological heritage,
including evidence of an Australian ice age about 280 million years ago. The outstanding glacial
pavements along the northern cliff tops are recognised as the best record of Permian glaciation
in Australia and have international significance.

Watch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tzjMRhlztXE
and https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eRext5jDUMc
And Leannes slide show

Why not suggest this as a place to visit with family and friends?

We can see many different kinds of evidence of geological change and events in the park.

Write and draw to fill in the table

Event or What I think this is Extra information

phenomenon Discuss at your tables and with the class
drop stones

glacial
striations
(stripes)

sandstone

ripple marks

calcrete

Watch: Meet The Fossils http://www.abc.net.au/landline/content/2013/s3817544.htm

& Catalyst Emu Bay Fauna http://www.abc.net.au/catalyst/stories/2347748.htm
Why do you think scientists study fossils?
Earth and Space Science: The sedimentation process and fossils Wk 10 Term 1
Watch First Life David Attenborough https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9zEXExfWV2I
From live organism to fossil
Stage 1
An organism dies and is buried before the remains are completely destroyed.
Stage 2
Over time, layers of sediment build up and press down on the buried remains.
Stage 3
Dissolved minerals, transported by ground-waters in the sediment, fill tiny spaces in the bones. The combination
of pressure, chemical reactions and time eventually turns the sediments into rock and the bones into mineralised
fossils.
Stage 4
The fossils remain within the rock until uncovered through erosion or excavation.

The South Australian Museum has leant us five Ediacaran fossil casts.
Look at the casts and use ipads to help you do research and complete each activity

Table 1 draw:
Fossil name

Measure diameter..

How old?.

Table 2 draw:
Fossil name

Describe the appearance

Table 3 draw:
Fossil name

Length

What kind of organism was it?.

Table 4 draw:
Fossil name 1

Measure diameter.

Fossil name 2

Measure length.
Table 5 draw:
Fossil name

Why are these together?