Let's investigate this world beneath our feet. Not only will you be
an explorer, but you also will be a scientist as you conduct experiments at a field
site just like our Field Museum scientists.
As you complete each step in the scientific process, you may wonder why it is important.
Real scientists use this same process when they conduct research, whether they're
looking to learn more about life underground or investigating new medicines or trying
to design a rocket that can travel to Mars. The scientific process allows you to create
a theory (your hypothesis), conduct experiments, collect information, and revise your
hypothesis based on what you've learned. To help you along the way, we've provided
a scientist mentor, Dr. Harold Voris, a Curator in The Field Museum's Zoology/Amphibians
and Reptiles department. Dr. Voris has just returned from doing field work in his
study of underground snakes in Borneo! You will see him explaining the field work
process in video clips throughout the activities.
Below is a guide to the soil study activities in your Underground Adventure.
Together, these activities will help you answer a key research question: What
is the relationship between the soil's physical properties, environmental and human
factors, and soil biodiversity? Although you can choose any of the activities
on their own, you will get a better picture of life underground if you do all of the
activities. And once you get started, you can return to your field site again and
again to observe, test, and record the data you find. So what are you waiting for?
Dig in!
Getting Started
There are a few key things you'll need for your research: a journal to collect the
information you gather, a field site where you can conduct your research, and a guide
to help you identify any critters you may encounter while you work.
- Field Journal
You will learn why scientists use field journals, take a peek at some field journals
from Field Museum scientists, and start your own field journal. Time: 30 minutes
- Field Site
You will learn why a good field site is so important to field work. A Field Museum
scientist will share his secret for finding a good field site, and then you will
choose your own site for soil study. Time: 1-2 hours, possibly over two days
- Setting Up Quadrants
For several of the activities in your soil exploration, you will need to set up
a quadrant—a 50 cm x 50 cm square in which to test the soil. This activity
guides you through setting up a quadrant. Time: 15 minutes
- Field Guide
The Underground Adventure Field Guide has information about soil types
and soil critters you are likely to encounter in your soil explorations. Time:
varies
Activities
- Soil Properties
Stop here to find the tools you need for testing the physical properties of the
soil at your field site and recording the data you gather. All of the activities
in this section use the following worksheets:
- Texture Test
Feel the texture of the soil to determine its composition, and then use
this information to classify the soil as sand, silt, or clay. Time:
30-45 minutes
- Mud Shake
Separate soil particles into layers to determine the composition of the
soil, and then classify the soil as sand, silt, or clay. Time: 15-20
minutes, over two days
- Soil Temperature
Measure and record the soil temperature at your field site over time.
Time: 15-20 minutes
- Compaction Test
Measure and record how far a pencil can be pushed into the soil at your
field site, then use the data to infer the degree of compaction of the
soil. Time: 15-20 minutes
- Percolation Test
Measure and record how long it takes water to soak into the soil at the
selected field site. You will use the data to infer the degree of compaction
of the soil. Time: 45-60 minutes
- Factors That Affect the Soil
Stop here to find the tools you need for collecting and recording data about the
environmental and human impact factors that can affect conditions at your field
site. All of the activities in this section use the following worksheet:
- Air Temperature
Measure and record the air temperature at your field site. Time: 5-10
minutes
- Cloud Cover
Measure and record the percentage of cloud cover at your field site. Time:
5-10 minutes
- Food Source Habitat
Research the main food sources for four soil critters and match each critter
to the soil habitat type best suited to its food source needs. Time:
60-90 minutes
- Ground Cover
Map the soil environments at your field site to gain an understanding
of the different micro-habitats that exist there. Time: 60-90 minutes
- Soil Biodiversity
Stop here to find the tools you need for observing and identifying the soil critters
you find at your field site. The activities in this section use the following
worksheet:
- Looking for Life
Look for, identify, and count the organisms found in soil samples from
your field site. Time: 45-60 minutes
- Rock Flip
Sample the soil critter population at your field site by flipping over
a board or rock and counting the different types of critters you find.
Time: 30-45 minutes on two days
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