By Lindsay Cheek, Kelsey Jackson, and Kelsey McManus Soil Ecology Project By Lindsay Cheek, Kelsey Jackson, and Kelsey McManus

Hmmm.. Do I want to be her friend? Hey Kelsey! Do you want to join me on the swings? Sure! That sounds like tons of fun!

Have you ever realized that all of our friends are exactly the same? Actually yeah I did. I was just thinking about that the other day…

I wonder why it’s like that I wonder why it’s like that. I mean why are all the bacteria in our neighborhood exactly the same? I have no idea. We should find someone who knows how we can change that.

That sounds like a good idea but how will the humans ever understand the situation? Well I know this brilliant young biology teacher that could probably help us.

Okay well how do we get in touch with him Okay well how do we get in touch with him? Where can we find this amazing man!? I think he works in the school right above us in the upper school science wing.

Okay sounds good when should we go? We should go out of the soil and find him right away to see what’s going on. Okay sounds good when should we go?

I think we should leave immediately! OKAY LETS GO!

They pack their suit cases ready for their expedition…

Okay I think we go this way and up the stairs. Ah! There he is! Wow he is even more handsome than I expected!

Hello girls! How can I help you today? Okay let’s get to business! Mr. Brock! Mr. Brock! Can you help us?

Well I can see you have a problem here Well I can see you have a problem here. It’s difficult to live with people when they are all the same. Well we have an issue back in our neighborhood with everyone being the same. We don’t know why and we don’t know how to fix it.

I think I might have a few ideas I think I might have a few ideas. First, do not apply any fertilizer to the area above your neighborhood. Although it may seem like a good idea the fertilizer will actually kill some of you. This is because the roots you need to live off of are stunted by the fertilizer and you will not be able to survive from the roots. Second, I think that you should try adding water to the area because this will provide diversity and density to the bacteria living in your neighborhood. Do you have any ideas that might help make different kinds of bacteria friends for us?

Thanks. Those sound like great tips Thanks! Those sound like great tips! Is there any thing else that we might need to know?.

No, just remember no amount of fertilizer great or small should be added and just the right amount of water should be added.

How much water should we apply? You should apply approximately 1 liter of water per 10 x 10 cm squares. How much water should we apply? Thanks this information should be of great help! Hopefully our mission will be successful.

Yeah we will have to see what happens… Well we added the water all we can do now is to wait. Yeah we will have to see what happens…

Kelsey. Kelsey. Have you seen Kelsey! Kelsey! Have you seen? There are so many different shapes, sizes and colors! It’s like they appeared out of thin air!

I know it’s amazing we couldn’t have done it without the help from Mr I know it’s amazing we couldn’t have done it without the help from Mr. Brock.

Do you think we should go inform him of our results and thank him?

That sounds wonderful. Let’s GO!

Hello ladies! Mr. Brock!

Mr. Brock we have such great news Mr. Brock we have such great news! We didn’t add any fertilizer and we added the perfect amount of water!

I’m glad I could be of assistance I’m glad I could be of assistance! Well I have to go teach my classes, have fun with all your new friends! Mr. Brock! You were right! It worked there are all different kinds of bacteria for us to be friends with now!

THE END