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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Florence, South Carolina » Coastal Plain Soil, Water and Plant Conservation Research » Docs » Outreach_2023 » Revised_Activities » Mud Pie Experiment

Experiment:

Mud Pies for Sale


 Image of three soil type samples on plates with water being added into depressions

Purpose:

 

Will different soils hold different amounts of water?

Materials:

 

loam, clay, sand, 9 small dishes or jar lids, 4 tablespoons, water

Procedures:
 
 
 
 

 

1. Using a different spoon for each type of soil, place 8 tbsp. of loam in one dish, 8 tbsp. of clay in a second dish, and 8 tbsp. of sand in third dish.

2. Make a hole (depression) in the center of each pile.

3. Using the remaining spoon pour 4 spoonfuls of water into each hole. Observe what happens.

4. Repeat steps 1-3 two more times.