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69th SWCS International Annual Conference July 27-30, 2014 Lombard, IL
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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?