Our World: What is Soil?
Learn about soil and how different kinds of soil hold moisture. See how NASA plans to use measurements from the Soil Moisture Active Passive Mission, or SMAP, to make our world a better place to live.
Discussion and writing prompts
1. The video explains that soil is a complex mixture of minerals, organic matter, water, air, and living organisms. Why is it important to think of soil as a living system rather than simply "dirt"? Describe how the different components of soil work together to support plant growth and healthy ecosystems. Use examples from the video to explain why each component is important.
2. Soil interacts with the atmosphere, hydrosphere, geosphere, and biosphere. How does healthy soil support these interconnected Earth systems? Choose one Earth system and explain how changes in soil quality can affect that system. Then describe how those changes could influence people, plants, or animals.
3. Soil forms very slowly but can be lost quickly through erosion, pollution, or poor land management. Why is it important to protect and conserve soil? Imagine you are an environmental scientist or farmer developing a plan to keep soil healthy. Describe three practices you would recommend, explain how they protect the soil, and discuss how they benefit future generations.
Background Information
Grades 3 through 8
- NASA eClips Our World: The Rock Cycle (video)
- Elementary GLOBE Storybook: The Scoop on Soils (website)
Grades 3 through 12
Grades 6 through 12
- NASA SMAP (Soil Moisture Active and Passive) (website)
- NASA SMAP (Soil Moisture Active and Passive) (website)
Activities
Grades K through 5
- Elementary GLOBE Soils Module: Soil Treasure Hunt (pdf)
- Elementary GLOBE Soils Module: We All Need Soil! (pdf)
- Elementary GLOBE Soils Module: Getting to Know Soil (pdf)
Grades K through 12
- GLOBE From Mud Pies to Bricks (pdf)
- GLOBE Just Passing Through (pdf)
- NASA Rocks, Soils, and Surfaces (webpage)
Grades 3 through 5
- NASA eClips Our World: Dirt (pdf)
Grades 3 through 12
- GLOBE Pedosphere (Soil) Protocols (webpage)
- GLOBE Soils Protocol Bundle (webpage)
- My NASA Data Featured Lesson Plans and Story Maps: Soil Moisture (webpage)
Grades 5 through 12
- NOAA Learn About Soil Types (webpage)
Grades 6 through 12
- My NASA Data Soil Moisture (website)