Permeability is the ability of a substance to allow gases or liquids to go through it.

To measure is to use equipment to find numbers to describe a feature of something such as its length, weight, size or time.

Data is information collected during an investigation. It may be numbers, symbols, pictures or text.

To evaluate an investigation is to include an explanation of, and degree of trust in, the results.

Soil permeability: do and review (non-statutory)

Science

In this Rocks and soil unit, pupils learn to describe in simple terms how fossils are formed. In the Evolution and inheritance unit, pupils will build on this knowledge to recognise that things have changed over time and that fossils provide information about living things that inhabited the Earth millions of years ago.

In the Uses of everyday materials unit, pupils learnt to identify and compare the suitability of materials, including rock. In this Rocks and soils unit, pupils will build on this knowledge to compare and group different kinds of rocks on the basis of their appearance and simple physical properties.

Rocks and soils 

Physical activity and equipment requiring safe use

Use of equipment that may require supervision for safety, e.g. scissors in KS1, needles, paint, knives, cooking.

Activity that requires collection of items from an area (room, building).

a soil that water flows very slowly through

Which of these soils will be the best soil to use improve the muddy football pitch? 

Soils that do not allow water to pass through easily have low {{}}.

Different types of soils have different properties such as texture, colour and size of the pieces they are made from. These pieces are called  __________.

allow water to pass through them more easily

do not let water pass through them easily

Match the particle size of soil to its permeability. 

Which of these problems can be solved by using the correct permeability level of soil? 

Scientists often {{}} a completed investigation and suggest improvements.

Scientists create a {{}} before they carry out an investigation to help them know what to do and what equipment they will need. 

Which of these things might a soil scientist do? 

Permeability is when a substance allows gases or {{}}, such as water, to pass through it. 

Which of these pieces of equipment might you need to carry out a soil permeability test? 

What type of investigation are you carrying out if you are only changing one variable? 

When planning a soil permeability test, which of these variables would be the one you will change? 

Content guidance

Risk assessment required - equipment

Exploration of objects

Adult supervision required

This lesson will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.

Soil permeability: do and review (non-statutory)

Lesson outcome

Content guidance

This lesson will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.