Vegetable Production Enterprise - Soil pH Testing
| Grade | Work Samples |
|---|---|
| End of Stage 5 (end of Year 10) | |
| Grade C | Casey |
| Grade D | Jordan |
Description of activity
Students will perform a standard soil test to determine the pH of the selected site for vegetable production. Students will work in pairs and compare their data with that from other groups. Each pair of students will test different sites within the student agricultural plots. Three depths within each site will be tested. Students will individually analyse their results to suggest which vegetable crops to grow in their vegetable plots. This activity will be completed within 1–2 hours.
Context
Students are completing essential content as specified in Core A within a Plant Enterprise. Students are at the start of the unit of work Vegetable Production. In this unit students learn about the roles of soil and water in determining plant management strategies. This activity will be used in conjunction with class work and library research to determine the type of vegetable crops suitable for the school’s Agricultural Farm.
Prior to this activity students have completed library research work on varieties suitable for the current planting season. Students have developed an understanding of the OHS principles required for the use of the chemicals involved in the activity. They will also recall their knowledge of pH and the pH scale from classroom discussions. Students will perform this activity with the cooperation of other students and present an individual analysis of their results. Before selecting which plants will be grown in their agricultural plot students must develop an understanding of the local soil environment.
Areas for Assessment
Outcomes
A student:
5.5.1 designs, undertakes, analyses and evaluates experiments and investigates problems in agricultural contexts
5.6.1 applies Occupational Health and Safety requirements when using, maintaining and storing chemicals, tools and agricultural machinery
5.6.2 performs plant and animal management practices safely and in cooperation with others.
Criteria for assessing learning
(These criteria would normally be communicated to students with the activity.)
Students will be assessed on their ability to:
- perform the activity with the required skill
- accurately determine the correct result and draw sound conclusions
- observe and follow safe work practices and OHS guidelines
- work cooperatively as part of a team.