Get dirty! soil science education for kids

Soil Science Educationfor Kids & Adults

Ross Braun, Dig-It! docent

Why Teach Soil Science?

Cultivate Interest in:• Natural Resource Conservation • Environmental Protection• Science • Career Development (STEM)

Soils Are A Secret Resource

Awareness to Action

• Raising awareness on the most pressing environmental issues of our time is more important than ever. Leonardo DiCaprio

• Tell me and I forget.  Teach me and I remember.  Involve me and I learn.

Benjamin Franklin

Socratic Teaching Method

Give students questions,

not answers.

Socratic Teaching Method

• Stimulate discussion with probing questions

• Periodically summarize what has and what has not been dealt with and/or resolved

(Yes = every response . . .)• Draw as many students as possible

into the discussion.

Socratic Teaching MethodTeachers Can Cheat!

• Dynamic Tools & Toys• Demonstrate• Involve Students• Relate to Real Life

What’s the best soil for mud pies?

Making Soil Monoliths

Teaching Environmental Educators

Painting With Soil

Is this soil disturbed or undisturbed?

Soil Texture Test

Soil Water – Predict Rain Effect• Where have you seen disturbed soils?• Where have you seen undisturbed soils?

(Baseball Field:  Infield vs. Outfield)

• Color Difference?  Carbon = Decomposed Organics

• Structure:  Smooth or Creamy Peanut Butter?• Mycorrhizal Fungi:  Glomalin (glue malin)• Earthworm Castings:  POOP!

What will happen when it rains?

Soil Water – Rain Effect

What happened?• If you were a plant which soil would you prefer?

• If your house or playground was below these soils what would happen?• Flooding• Sediment  (get pretty dirty . . .)

Soil Slake TestDisturbed versus Undisturbed Soil - What will happen?

Handout Materials

Teachers and Studentshttp://www.soils.usda.gov/education/

http://forces.si.edu/soils/ (Smithsonian)

http://doctordirt.org

https://www.soils.org/smithsonian/exhibit (

http://www.nacdnet.org/education/soils

http://websoilsurvey.nrcs.usda.gov/app/

http://www.fieldmuseum.org/undergroundadventure/

http://www.agclassroom.org/kids/farm.htm

http://forces.si.edu/soils/05_00_00.html (e

Stickers

Do You Know The Soils at Your House?

Soil Education Venues• Earth Day Events

• Scout Meetings & Events• Teacher Workshops

• Classrooms• Nature Centers

• Science Centers • Museums

Thank You

~ Stump the Soil Scientist ~Can you think of anything on this planet

not connected to soil?