Explore how carbon moves through the environment by analyzing soil samples from different areas of the 2020 Cameron Peak Fire. Use the same techniques performed at soil labs to identify if the soil was intensely burned, moderately, burned, or unburned and where does the carbon in it goes!
Big Concepts include: 1) soil components; 2) black carbon; 3) fire intensities; 4) carbon cycle; 5) feedback loop.
Scientific Inquiry Skills include: 1) use of microscope and digital balance; 2) soil sample preparation; 3) identification of components and visual estimation; 4) data collection and interpretation and 5) use of science notebooks.
Soils of Fire STEM Kit Resources
- Video Introduction
- Soils of Fire STEM Kit Facilitator’s Guide
- Blank Optical Analysis Template
- Blank Separation Analysis Template
- Soils of Fire Worksheet (for use in lieu of Science Notebooks) The NSEOC highly recommends students keep a science notebook for all science classes, but if this is not possible, all of the Science Notebook prompts from the booklet are included with space for students to write and sketch as needed.
- Hoja de Trabajo de Suelos de Incendio (para usar en lugar del cuaderno de ciencias)
- Soils of Fire STEM Kit Booklet (English and Spanish version)
(available upon request – email name and school to Andrew Warnock)
CSU Resources
- Faculty Collaborator: Dr. Francesca Cotrufo – Natural Resources Ecology Lab
Other Useful Resources
Borrowing 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 forms require you to confirm your email address before it will be sent to the EOC – 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 Courtney Gooding Butler (courtney.butler@colostate.edu).
- Local Pick-Up Loan Application Form – for educators in the immediate area of Fort Collins (i.e.: Greeley, Loveland, Ault, Windsor, Johnstown, etc.)
- Delivery Loan Application Form – for educators in Colorado outside of the immediate Fort Collins area
- Educator Feedback Survey – must be completed after returning kits to the NSEOC and before another kit can be requested
