Soil Nutrients, Fertilizers and Environmental Impact
Students investigate the quality of water that passes through soil. They first test unfertilized soil and fresh water for the presence of nitrates then add fertilizer to the soil and test both the fertilized soil and the runoff water for nitrates. They construct an explanation about how fertilizer use effects water quality and natural habitats. They apply the crosscutting concept of cause and effect to human activity and environmental impacts.
Details at a Glance
- 1-2 Days | 1-2 ~50 minute class periods
- 1 Activity
- Accommodates 2 classes, each with 8 groups of 4 students
- Consumables service 64 students
- Meets our criteria for supporting literacy
- Includes digital resources
- Developed in partnership with SEPUP
- Requires a water source
Scientific Concepts
Disciplinary Core Ideas
•MS-ESS3.C Human Impacts on Earth Systems
•MS-ESS2.C The Roles of Water in Earth’s Surface Processes
Science and Engineering Practices
•Developing and Using Models
•Constructing Explanations and Designing Solutions
•Planning and Carrying Out Investigations
Crosscutting Concepts
•Cause and Effect
•Connections to Science, Engineering, Technology, and Applications of Science:
Influence of Science, Engineering, and Technology on Society and the Natural World
Key Vocabulary: contaminant, evidence, groundwater, indicator, nutrients, runoff,
trade-off
Guides & Student Sheets
Our kits and modules provide you with everything you need so you can open, review, and teach the material confidently the next day.
- Full downloadable Teacher Guide with background information, detailed instruction, example data and answers
- Downloadable Student Sheets with age appropriate background information, full procedure(s), and analysis questions
- All materials necessary to carry out the investigation
- Safety Data Sheets
Kit Components
- 1 Teacher’s Guide with MSDS
- 32 Student Worksheets and Guides
- 1 Potting soil, Vial
- 1 Nitrate testing powder, Vial
- 2 Fertilizer solution, Bottle
- 3 Nitrate extraction solution, Bottle
- 8 Vials labeled “N”
- 8 Vials labeled “B”
- 16 AB trays
- 8 Stir sticks
- 8 White scoops
- 8 Filter funnels, SEPUP
- 8 Filter-paper circles, fine
- 8 3-mL pipets
- 8 Nitrogen color charts
- 8 Cups, 30-ml, graduated
- Not included and needed for instruction: Safety eyewear, supply of local soil (~100 mL), access to wash basin and rinse water, access to a timer or a clock with a second hand.
Need to order refills for this Kit?
Order RefillsRelated Products
-
Kit #20Phosphates and Nitrates PollutantsThis kit is an excellent environmental pollution laboratory activity. Students use water samples from nearby fresh waterways to set up controlled experiments, observe them, and determine the effects on fresh water (both qualitative and quantitative) when phosphate and nitrate compounds are added. Over a period of ten days, students will observe and compare the...
$86.45 View Details -
Kit #33Soil Organism
In this activity, students use a specially designed, reusable Lab-Aids Organism Extractor to isolate and collect organisms found in soil samples. A teaspoon of soil may contain billions of living organisms. Plant health, soil fertility, and soil development depend on these organisms in many ways. Soils contain organisms that perform activities such as decomposing...
$103.30 View Details -
Kit #32Soil Experiment
Students conduct a thorough evaluation of their local soil. They use simple, easy-to-follow staining procedures and microscopes to observe and identify a range of soil biota. Students then test the soil for cation exchange capacity and pH and relate these characteristics to its ability to support plant growth. All tests are performed using either...
$145.95 View Details -
Kit #320Simulating Threshold Effects of Soil pH on Hydrangea Plants
In this simulation activity, students model how hydrangea plants are affected by soil pH. Agricultural lime (mostly CaCO3) is often used to adjust soil pH. Soil pH is a factor that influences the color of hydrangea flowers and the health of the plant. Below a positive threshold pH, hydrangea flowers are blue, above this...
$145.75 View Details -
Kit #321Organically Grown? (Testing for Simulated Pesticide Residue)
In this investigation, students will use a chemical test in order to determine whether fruit samples have been treated for any simulated pesticides. Based on their test results they grapple with the further question of which sample(s) could potentially be marketed as organic.
$143.20 View Details
