A soil scientist studies the physical and chemical properties of soil.
Soil Scientist
Soil Scientist
VIRTUAL JOB SHADOW
Welcome to your first day on the job! Watch this video to see what a day in the life of a soil scientist is like.
STEP 1: Gather needed materials:
- clear jar with lid (like a mason jar)
- soil
- shovel
- water
STEP 2: Use the shovel to dig some soil. Make sure it is okay to take the soil from this spot! Choose a spot that will have different types of natural soil (a garden is not the best location).
STEP 3: Fill your jar about half full with soil.
STEP 4: Fill the jar with water almost to the top.
STEP 5: Put the lid on your jar and shake it well for at least 2 minutes.
STEP 6: Let your ‘sediment shake’ sit. Come back to observe every hour to see how it is changing!
STEP 7: After one day, the sediments will form layers. Go online and/or get books from the library about your local sediment types. Try to identify each layer! Draw a diagram of your sediment shake showing the layers, colors/components, and labels for each layer that you are able to identify. BONUS: Investigate to figure out WHY you have certain sediments in your local area, and how your sediments would differ from those found in a different region of the USA.
STEP 8: Share your soil science sediment shake diagram in the Student Showcase to build your resume!
STEP 9: Was there something you could not identify in your sediment shake? Get in touch with a local soil science program (many universities have them) and see if they can help – maybe you found a cancer curing component!