SURVIVOR: EARTH
Principal Investigator (P.I.) _______________________________
Team Number
____________
In a scientific study, the Principal Investigator, or the P.I., is responsible for overseeing the project,
making sure it runs smoothly and that all data is collected. Your tasks are:
 Be sure your group completes all the tests and returns on time!
 Check that all equipment is returned to the classroom.
 Keep track of the points and total them at the end.
 Record answers to the summary questions
Data Category
Expert Name
Navigator
Points
NO POINTS
Atmosphere
Geosphere
Biosphere
Hydrosphere
Total Points
_____________
SURVIVOR: EARTH
Survivor: Earth Summary
Our area received a total of _____________ points.
Use the following scale to determine if your area has enough water for humans to survive.
0-29
Uh oh…we didn’t find very much
good quality freshwater here
30-69 Points
Hmmm… there is freshwater but
we need more tests to
determine if there is enough
70-100 Points
Woo hoo! There is enough good
quality water for us to survive
We believe this area ____________ (does/does not) have enough water for people to live because:
Atmospheric tests of clouds and rainfall show

______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
and

______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
Geospheric tests of soil color, consistence, and moisture show

______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
and

______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
Biospheric observations of the living things show

______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
Hydrospheric tests of pH, temperature, and transparency show

______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
and

______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
SURVIVOR: EARTH
ATMOSPHERE
TOTAL POINTS – ATMOSPHERE
Name of Meteorologist ___________________
Has there been precipitation or could there be in the next few days? As the atmosphere expert, you will
assess moisture in the atmosphere. Precipitation comes from clouds. Water vapor in the atmosphere is
invisible, but if the conditions (temperature and pressure) are right, it can condense into liquid or solid
crystals. Clouds form where there are a large number of drops or crystals. Clouds are an indication of the
temperature and water in the atmosphere, and they can help us forecast the weather.
Temperature
1. Record the current air temperature (top number on the weather station).
_________ °C
2. Record the current soil temperature (bottom number on the weather station).
_________ °C
There are no points for temperature readings. This measurement is for comparison only.
Rainfall
1. Read the level of the water in the rain gauge; your eyes should be as close to the level
of the water in the tube as possible.
2. Record the rainfall to the nearest millimeter. If there is no water in the rain gauge
record 0.0 mm. If there is less than 0.5mm, record T for trace. If some spills, record M
or missing. Then, circle the points that relate to your rainfall measurement.
Rainfall: ________ mm
0
1 – 5 mm
6 – 10 mm
10 – 20 mm
 20 mm
0 points
2 points
6 points
8 points
10 points
Remember to complete your Cloud Data on back of page!
SURVIVOR: EARTH
Clouds
1. Observe the clouds in the sky – look in all directions, including directly overhead. Be careful not to
look directly at the sun!
2. Check all of the cloud type(s) you see. If there are no clouds, write “none visible.” DO NOT add all
the points together; count only the clouds with the highest points.

Cirrus: High wispy
clouds; contain ice
crystals

Cumulus: Low to
middle white puffy
clouds; contain water
drops

Stratus: Low layered
clouds cover most of
the sky; contain water
drops
Low moisture
2 points

Nimbostratus: Low
layered clouds with
rain falling
High moisture
4 points
8
points
10 points
Remember: DO NOT add all the points together; count only the clouds with the highest points.
SURVIVOR: EARTH
TOTAL POINTS – GEOSPHERE
GEOSPHERE (Soil)
Name of Soil Scientist _________________________
The geosphere is the zone of soil beneath our feet. Soil is an essential resource that is often taken for
granted. Soil can affect every part of an ecosystem. Soil is also an integral part of the water cycle as it
helps with infiltration, grows trees that transpire, and stores ground water.
Prepare the study area:
1. Clear the leaves and debris from a small area (about 1 to 2-foot square) on the ground
so the soil is exposed.
2. Use the spoon to loosen and dig up a small amount of soil.
Soil Moisture
1. Create a hole in the soil with the pencil.
2. Insert the probe into the hole and gently press the tip into the soil.
3. Record your data.
Soil Moisture:
_______________
0
1-3
4-7
7-10
0 points
3 points
6 points
10 points
Soil Temperature
1. Record the soil temperature reading from the atmosphere station.
Soil Temperature:
_______________ C
There are no points for Soil Temperature. The data is for comparison only.
SURVIVOR: EARTH
Use the soil you loosened with the spoon for the following tests.
Soil Consistence – Hold a chunk of dirt between your thumb and index finger. Use the following
scale to rate the firmness of the soil.

Loose – soil falls
 Friable – chunk
apart before you
breaks with small
handle it
amount of pressure
Easier for water to move
10 points

Firm – chunk breaks  Extremely Firm –
with large amount
can’t break chunk
of pressure
with your fingers
More difficult for water to move
8 points
4 points
0 points
Soil Color – Compare the soil color to the chart and record which color it is most close to.

Black – lots of
organic (living)
material and more
water

Brown – some
organic material
and some water

Reddish – contains
minerals like iron
More water
10 points

Gray – light color
means dryer soil
Less water
6 points
3 points
0 points
Remember!!!
Return your test area to the way it looked when you arrived by putting the soil and leaves back
to their original locations.
Gather your equipment before you leave!
SURVIVOR: EARTH
TOTAL POINTS – HYDROSPHERE
HYDROSPHERE
Name of Hydrologist __________________________
Investigating Earth’s surface waters is important because all living things rely on water to survive.
Although 70% of Earth’s surface is covered with water, less than 1% is freshwater that we can consume.
There are many different tests we can conduct to determine if the water in a stream, river, or lake is
healthy.
Water Temperature
1. Hold the thermometer
at least 6 centimeters
into the water for at
least 2 minutes.
Water Temperature:
2. Record the temperature in
degrees Celsius.
_______________ °C
Warmer water usually allows more organisms to live in the water, however if the water gets too warm,
they can grow too much or die which pollutes the water. If the water gets too cold, organisms cannot
survive.
0–9°C
5 points
 25 ° C
5 points
10 – 25 ° C
10 points
pH
1. Dip the pH strip into
the water and
immediately pull it
out.
pH:
2. Compare the color on the strip to
the color chart on the container
and record your data. Do not the
put used strip back into the
container.
_______________
pH scale goes from 0 – 14 and measures the level of acid in the water which can determine if it’s safe to
drink. Pure water has a pH of 7. The lower the number the more acidic; the higher the number the more
basic or alkaline. A healthy stream is between 5.5 and 8.
5
0 points
5–6
8 points
7
10 points
8–9
6 points
9
0 points
SURVIVOR: EARTH
Transparency
1. Fill the jar with water.
2. Look through the water to the black and white picture of the secchi disk taped to the
bottom of the jar.
3. Record how well you can see the secchi disk (transparency) based on the chart below.
Transparency refers to how far light can travel through the water. Water that is clearer is in better
condition. That means less particles in the water and more light can travel through so plants can grow.

Very Transparent – can see
the entire disk clearly

Somewhat Transparent –
the disk is somewhat blurry
or faded from cloudy water
Good Quality
10 points

Not Transparent – the disk is
very blurry, almost all white,
from very cloudy water
Lower Quality
7 points
2 points
Remember!!!
Gather all of your equipment before you leave!
Empty the water from the jar.
Keep the used pH strip out of the jar so it does not contaminate the others. Keep the unused pH
strips dry and the container sealed tightly.
SURVIVOR: EARTH
TOTAL POINTS – BIOSPHERE
BIOSPHERE
Name of Biologist ___________________
The biotic components of an ecosystem are those that are living or were living at one time. All life relies
on water. Animals can move around to find their own water. Plants and trees are stationary organisms
so they rely on the water that is available in their habitat. Land and habitat types are often named by
the types of plants that grow in the area.
Land Cover
1. Observe your study area.
2. Follow the Land Cover Classification key to determine which kind of land cover dominates your area.
3. On the chart below, circle your land cover and determine the water requirements and points for the
biosphere.
General Water Requirements for Plants
High
Cultivated Agriculture
Cultivated Non-Agriculture
Wetland
10 points
Medium
Low
Deciduous Forest
Deciduous Shrubland
Evergreen Forest
Grassland
Evergreen Shrubland
Forb Community
7 points
3 points
Very Low
Urban
Barren Land
Open Water
1 point
SURVIVOR: EARTH
Tree Moisture
1. Remove cover of moisture meter and press power button.
2. Insert the pins into the tree and record the percent moisture reading.
3. Circle the points for this measurement.
Tree Moisture ____________
30 – 40% Moisture
10 points
20 – 29% Moisture
7 points
10 – 19% Moisture
3 points
0 – 9% Moisture
0 points
Signs of Life
If you have extra time, look for other signs of life in your area and record them on the chart.
Tracks
Scat
Fur, feathers, bones
Animal homes
More signs:
IMPORTANT SAFETY REMINDER: DO NOT TOUCH ANY LIVING THING!!
Nests