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Materials:
10" piece of PVC pipe, 1" diameter
wooden block
hammer
10" piece of dowel that fits inside the PVC pipe
white paper
pencil, colored pencils
magnifying glass
plastic knife
zip-lock bags
1)Select a soil sampling sight. Place one end of the PVC pipe on the ground. Place the wooden block on top and carefully pound the pipe into the soil using a hammer. For safety, wear a work glove on the hand that holds the pipe. Pound it in until about 4" are sticking out of the ground.
2) Grab the pipe and twirl it gently in a circle to loosen it up. Tap it on the sides with hammer if necessary. Then carefully pull the pipe out, making sure the soil is still inside.
3) Push the soil out carefully with a dowel. Make sure to lay the soil on a flat surface. White paper works well.
4) Without breaking
it, observe the soil very closely. Pay close attention and jot down anything you find
interesting.
How is the top part of the soil different from the bottom?
Does the color change along the surface of the soil?
Do you see layers of different types of soil?
What can you observe about the soil?
Is anything living in the soil?
5) Draw a look-a-like picture of your soil sample. Make sure you draw what you find out. Use colors and label anything interesting.
6) Once you are satisfied with your drawing you can then estimate more. Cut the soil sample down the middle lengthwise with a plastic knife. Look inside. Note anything interesting.
7) Look at the different things using a magnifying glass.
8) Carefully pull it apart. Separate the soil's different parts into categories. You are probably going to find three or four groups. You might find more.
9) Place categories in plastic bags. You may now make a display for others. Tape the bags around your picture. You can now draw arrows to that part of your drawing.
10.) If you can, send the information about your soil to us. (See the Visitors' Page)