Down and Dirty

Down and Dirty is a science project that teaches kids about all the creatures that live in the dirt. Soil contains microscopic animals that breathe.

What You'll Need:

  • Garden soil
  • Jar with a lid
  • Limewater (available at a drugstore)
  • Small container

Down and Dirty is a science project that uses limewater to distinguish soil.
©2007 Publications International, Ltd.
Down and Dirty is a science project that uses limewater to distinguish soil.

How to conduct the Down and Dirty experiment:

Step 1: Drop a large handful of garden soil into the bottom of a big, empty jar. Pour some lime-water into a small container. Note what the lime-water looks like.

Step 2: Set the container of lime-water, uncovered, inside the large jar so it rests on top of the soil. Tightly screw on the lid of the large jar, and leave it undisturbed.

Step 3: In 2 or 3 days, look at the lime-water to see if it has changed in any way.

What Happened?
The soil contains many microscopic animals. These animals take in oxygen and release carbon dioxide as a waste product, just as you do when you breathe. The lime-water turned a milky color because the carbon dioxide produced by the organisms in the soil combined with the lime-water to produce chalk. Your garden soil may contain bacteria, protozoans, and threadlike worms called nematodes.

Looking for more science projects to do with your kids? Try:

ABOUT THE PROJECT DESIGNERS:

Lowdown on Dirt by Maria Birmingham, Karen E. Bledsoe, and Kelly Milner Halls