Agriculture and Land Use Interactive Simulation | Earth Science | Grades 6–8

This Interactive Simulation has grades 6–8 Middle School Earth Science students model topsoil runoff to test how plant cover protects farmland in Agriculture and Land Use.

Driving question: "How do vegetative cover and agricultural soil management techniques prevent topsoil erosion caused by agricultural runoff?" Students pour a 30-second, 100 mL "rain shower" over a bare tray and a leaf-mulched tray, then compare runoff volume, sediment depth, and water clarity.

What's inside: objective and background, a materials list of classroom items (trays, potting soil, leaves, a pinhole "rain" cup), an 8-step protocol, a data table, 4 analysis questions, and teacher notes with timing and extensions.

Resource type: Interactive Simulation (.docx). Format: editable Microsoft Word lab handout with approximately 600 words (~4 pages).

Classroom use: a 45–55 minute team investigation in a Middle School Earth Science course. Grades 6–8.

Format note: These files are delivered in Microsoft Office formats (Word and/or PowerPoint). If you open a worksheet that includes tables in Apple Pages or another non-Microsoft app, table formatting may not display correctly. For best results, use Microsoft Word or PowerPoint (or upload the file to Google Docs). If you run into any formatting issues, contact us and we can send a PDF version.