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) (PDF)
• 1 copy of the Plow Design Template (pdf) (PDF)
• 3 copies of the Name the Parts of a Plow Worksheet (pdf) (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