Application-based teaching is expected to enhance student's learning motivation and appreciation for the importance of the principles of soil science. The objective of this project was to develop and assess web-based application lessons designed to integrate principle concepts in soil genesis and development. Six sets of web-based principle lessons, along with 3 web-based applications lessons, were developed for use by undergraduate earth science courses (http://elkhorn.unl.edu/croptechnology2005/soil_sci/). The web-based application lessons included case studies that integrated agroecosystems, natural systems, environmental science, and history and geography. Lessons were introduced in freshman and sophomore level soil science courses at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Colorado State University, and Oregon State University, in the spring of 2006. An online based pre-test was administered prior to introducing the lessons in the classroom. An online post-test was administered immediately after lesson use by students. A Student Assessment of Learning Gains (SALG) survey was also completed by students within 10 days of lesson use. Student test performance post lesson use improved by 39 to 82%.  Survey indicated that students at all three institutions thought the lessons were useful and helped their learning but suggested improvement on the design and navigation of the lessons.