Explore how farmers can reduce soil salinity on their croplands and improve crop yields!
The storyline of this kit explores drought and its effects on cropland within Colorado. Students use models to visualize groundwater wells in confined and unconfined aquifers and discover where salt in soil comes from. Another model of the Big Sandy watershed in the Arkansas River Valley is used to measure and analyze salinity data that mimics techniques that Dr. Ryan Bailey’s group uses at CSU. Students think of solutions to this real-world problem based on the data they collect.
NGSS Science and Engineering Practices include: 1) developing and using models; 2) analyzing and interpreting data; 3) using mathematics and computational thinking; 4) constructing explanations and designing solutions.
NGSS Crosscutting Concepts include: 1) patterns; 2) cause and effect; 3) scale, proportion and quantity; 4) systems and system models; 5) structure and function; 6) stability and change of systems.
NGSS Disciplinary Core Ideas
- MS-ESS2.C: The Roles of Water in Earth’s Surface Processes Water continually cycles among land, ocean, and atmosphere via transpiration, evaporation, condensation and crystallization, and precipitation, as well as downhill flows on land.
- MS-ESS3.A: Natural Resources Humans depend on the Earth’s land, ocean, atmosphere and biosphere for many different resources. Minerals, fresh water, and biosphere resources are limited, and many are not renewable or replaceable over human lifetimes. These resources are distributed unevenly around the planet as a result of past geologic processes.
- MS-ESS3.C: Human Impacts on Earth Systems Typically as human populations and per-capita consumption of natural resources increases, so do the negative impacts on Earth, unless the activities and technologies involved are engineered otherwise.
- HS-ESS2.C: The Roles of Water in Earth’s Surface Processes The abundance of liquid water on Earth’s surface and its unique combination of physical and chemical properties are central to the planet’s dynamics. These properties include water’s exceptional capacity to absorb, store and release large amounts of energy, transmit sunlight, expand upon freezing, dissolve and transport materials, and lower the viscosity and melting points of rocks.
Class Requirements
- 6th grade and up
- Moderate teacher preparation
- One to two class periods
- 30 students or less working in pairs
- Science notebooks
- Sink
- Paper towels
Salts of the Earth STEM Kit Resources
- Salts of the Earth STEM Kit Use Instructions (complete teacher guide)
- Science Notebook Template (for use in lieu of Science Notebooks)
- Science Notebook Template (Spanish version)
- Salts of the Earth STEM Kit Instruction Booklet
(available upon request – email name and school to Andrew Warnock)
Borrowing Salts of the Earth STEM Kits
There is no charge to educators who wish to borrow any of our STEM kits. We appreciate applications be submitted at least 2 weeks in advance of the desired use date. The Loan Application Form require you to confirm your email address before it will be sent to the NSEOC – so once you click submit, check your email (including the junk folder)! You should also get a copy of the form for your records via email, if you don’t, please contact Jordan Conley (jordan.conley@colostate.edu).
- For educators in the immediate area of Fort Collins (i.e.: Greeley, Loveland, Ault, Windsor, Johnstown, etc.), we ask that you select the local pick-up option on the Loan Application Form.
- For educators in Colorado outside of the immediate Fort Collins area, please select the local pick-up option on the Loan Application Form and the kits will be shipped to you.
- Educator Feedback Survey – must be completed after returning kits to the NSEOC and before another kit can be requested