Material to launch exploration of Earth's soil and its important role. View a one-hour video, accompanied by details on soil horizons and soil formation, and ideas for bringing this topic into the classroom.

Soils may be formed in place from rock or formed in weathered rock and minerals that have been transported from where the original rock occurred.

Learn the main components of soil and how it forms.

[Free Registration/Login may be required to access all resource tools.] How soil is formed.

[Free Registration/Login may be required to access all resource tools.] How soil is formed.

This comprehensive site explores a number of soil related topics. A glossary of soil terms, formation of soils, and classification of soils are just of a few of the topics found on this this.

What covers less than 10% of the Earth's surface, yet is a vital natural resource for terrestrial life? What filters ground water and supports most of our food production, not to mention the production of building materials and paper?...

This interactive website explores the various soil layers and introduces you to the lifeforms that live in those soil layers.

Learn what soils are and why they are important. Discusses soil profiles, types of soils, soil conservation, soil ecosystems, and soil formation.

[Free Registration/Login may be required to access all resource tools.] This study guide summarizes key points about the characteristics of soil, factors in soil formation, and soil horizons and profiles. Includes a few questions to...

[Free Registration/Login may be required to access all resource tools.] How soil is formed.

After completing this lesson, students will understand the source and the process for the formation of soil, the different types of soil, and the components of soil.

Examine why newly-formed lava has little plant life, explain why one generation of plant life allows subsequent plant life to grow in an area and determine why organic soil formation is a slow process.

Students learn the basics about soil, including its formation, characteristics and importance. They are also introduced to soil profiles and how engineers conduct site investigations to learn about soil quality for development,...

Wonderful visual chart showing the six layers of soil. Also includes brief descriptions of the 12 types of soil and soil formation. Worksheet for students to label the layers of the soil is also included.

This Pedrosphere site provides a twelve chapter overview of soil science. Numerous topics are discussed and each chapter has a self-test to test your knowledge on the different aspects of soil science. Some chapters are only previews.

Soil is the foundation of conventional on site wastewater treatment.The drainfields used with on site systems work because the soil around the trenches acts as a filter and removes organic matter, some of the nutrients present in...

List the five most important things to know about how soil is formed.

Students explore how Earth processes shape the land, and how important managing the land can be in response to these natural activities.

Find out about the two major factors that affect soil formation.

This lesson plan describes activities which allow students to investigate four types of weathering and their relationship to soil formation. The four weathering forces investigated include wind, running water, plant roots and freezing...

This program uses a scenario with fictional detective characters to present plant growth to learners. While the unit focuses on the basic needs and parts of plants, the topics of plant classification and adaptations, soil formation and...

Provides background to the Soil and Water Resources Conservation Act of 1977 and its later amendments. Describes how input was gathered from various public interest groups. The full report, an information sheet, summaries of meetings,...

The Chicago Field Museum provides a comprehensive soil education project covering topics such as soil structure and organisms living underground. Students can use the site for research or do the full-blown project, where they establish a...