I-Create Lab

 For today's class, we got to tour the I-create lab at TAMUCC. This lab is not only for college students, but it's also available to the public. This Lab has many design tools that allow you to create using various tools. I have taken photos of some of the tools available to me here at the lab.

The two resources I'm most interested in are Poster Maker and Cricut.

Core Standard 3.9(A) Observe and describe the physical characteristics of environments and how they support populations and communities within an ecosystem.

( Garden TEKS ) Exploring texture in the garden(properties of soils & abilities to support plant growth) 

I hope to use these tools to incorporate examples of soil and its physical characteristics and how it relates to plant growth. Students can explore soil texture and decide which texture is preferable to have efficient plant growth. Students will be able to create their own planter box digitally using Canva and paste a picture of their preferred soil type of their choice; students can create and construct plant life to decorate their garden with plants that can survive in the environment of the soil using Canva as well. 

💟Facts About Soil💟

There are 4 main types of soil: clay, load, sand, and silt.  Clay is less than 2 microns, that's 0.0002mm. Silt is 2 - 75 microns, Sand is 75 microns, and Loam is 30% clay, 20%silt and 50% sand. Soil helps plants grow because of two main factors: Structure and nutrients. The structure of soil directly relates to a plant's ability to grow. The texture of soil can determine its ability to sustain plant life. A loose structure allows spaces and pores for plants to grow roots and to drain into. Plants need certain nutrients to grow, and those nutrients are elements found in soil. Some major elements that help soil sustain plant life are nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, calcium, magnesium, and sulfur.

     Elements of Soil               ~~~~~~~~             Types of Soil         

💬EDIT:

For the metro service project, I hoped to use the banner maker, but during the last week and a half the banner maker was down. Instead, I used canvas to make the posters I needed. I made many QR codes for easy access, and I had them laminated for future use.