Questions to Get You Started

Where did the soil in your sample come from? Are there mountains nearby that were eroded to produce the soil? How far was the soil transported to this area? Can you trace your soil's path of erosion, transportation, and deposition on a local map?
Is there much iron in the soil? Try placing a magnet in a plastic bag (that will keep the magnet clean) and run it through some dry soil a few times. Do you find any iron filings that cling to the magnet? Try some sand, perhaps from your schoolyard and see what results you obtain.
Are there crystals in the soil? After settling in water, tiny crystals may be visible.
What happens to the soil in your area when it rains? Does the rain soak into the soil quickly or tend to runoff before it soaks in? Are there many wells in your area? Find out how deep the water table in your area is - how deep are wells drilled to provide a constant supply of water?
Are there a lot of organic materials in your soil? Where do they come from? Are organic materials or fertilizer usually added to the soil to make it more suitable for planting?