Materials List: Cutting Through Soil

Each group needs:

  • 5 Popsicle® sticks
  • 1 strip of very thin plywood (or other similar material), ~3" x 6" (~7.5-15 cm)
  • 1 pair scissors
  • 1 sheet cardstock
  • 3-4 toothpicks
  • 4 large washers
  • One sheet white paper (for drawing a design); recycled is acceptable
  • 1-2 small strips of aluminum, ~2 cm thick (optional; for use as a coulter or plowshare)
  • Various other materials that might be useful in making a miniature plow
  • 1 copy of the Parts of a Plow Handout (pdf)
  • 1 copy of the Plow Design Template (pdf)
  • 3 copies of the Name the Parts of a Plow Worksheet (pdf)

To share with the entire class:

  • 1 large baking dish filled with loose soil or sand
  • 2-3 rolls of masking or duct tape
  • 1 spring scale (that measures in grams)
  • Ruler or measuring tape
https://www.teachengineering.org/activities/view/cub_cutting_through_soil