• This outdoors experiment is an effective way for students to learn how soil absorbs solar energy at various depths, times of day, and during different seasons.
  
• A student data sheet, background information, and instructions to complete the hands-on experiment are included in this resource.

Positives

• The worksheet includes helpful graphs and visuals to aid in explaining the phenomenon of solar energy absorption by soil.
  
• Students collect real data in a simple experiment.
  

Additional Prerequisites

• Students should be familiar with the concept of solar radiation and how it can be absorbed or reflected back into the atmosphere.
• Students should be able to read and create line graphs.

Differentiation

• Consider having students work in pairs and choose a variety of experiment locations or soil types to test.
• Have students make predictions about soil temperature gradients before completing the experiment.
• Connect this experiment to topics such as insulation, energy efficient building designs, green roofs, animals that burrow under ground, or ancient human remains from caves and other underground locations.
  
• This video from the same organization further explains the phenomenon.
• Additional resources to aid in exploring how soil impacts climate are Essentials of Environmental Science: The Importance of Soil and Project Hero Soil Quest.

This resource addresses the listed standards. To fully meet standards, search for more related resources.