Soil, farming and science – question bank

An inquiry approach is a method often used in science education. This question bank provides a range of questions that teachers and students might ask about soil, farming and science.

The article Soil, farming and science – introduction has links to further resources and student activities.

The article Soil – introduction has links to articles and student activities for NZ Curriculum levels 1 and 2.

Q. What is soil and how is it formed?

• Soil formation

• Soil properties

• Important soil properties

Q. What is environmental pollution?

• Nutrient leaching

Q. How do farms contribute to environmental pollution?

• Farming development and changing landscapes

• Farming and environmental pollution

• Fertiliser

• Fertilisers

• Nutrient leaching

Q. What do fertilisers do?

• Fertiliser

• Fertilisers

Q. Why is clover important to farmers?

• The role of clover

• The importance of clover

Q. What are nutrients?

• Fertilisers

• Fertiliser

• The nitrogen cycle

• The phosphorus cycle

• Phosphorus

• What is biogeochemistry?

Q. What is the nitrogen cycle?

• The terrestrial nitrogen cycle

• What is biogeochemistry?

Q. What is the phosphorus cycle?

• Phosphorus

• What is biogeochemistry?

Q. How can science help farmers?

• Inhibiting nitrification

• Inhibiting nitrous oxide emissions

• Focusing on phosphorus

• Managing nutrients

• Managing the nutrient problem

• Nitrification inhibitors

• Reducing nitrous oxide

• Denitrification beds and walls

• Denitrification beds – a creative approach

Q. What can farmers do to reduce pollution?

• Farm management practices

• Managing nutrients

• Managing the nutrient problem

• Nitrification inhibitors

• Reducing nitrous oxide

• Focusing on phosphorus