Learning Objectives
1. Learn about the crucial role that soil plays for the life on our planet.
2. Explore the role you can play in taking care of the soil, conserving it sustainably for yours and future generations.
3. Encourage change in attitudes and behavior , by participants considering how their daily activity affects the soils.
Activity Description
Safety
1. Wash your hands carefully after every activity. Some soils may contain harmful chemicals and insects so it is very important that you keep your hands clean. You may even want to wear gloves.
2. Be careful of insects and small animals when handling soil – some of them may bite.
3. Always wear gloves when handling litter or garbage.
4. Don’t taste things you find unless you are absolutely certain that they are not poisonous.
5. Don’t drink water from natural sources unless you are sure it is safe.
7. In some activities, you have the option of uploading pictures or videos to Web sites such as YouTube. Always make sure that everyone in the pictures or video, and/or their parents, have given their permission before you post anything online.
Instructions:
1. Collect soils of different colours, crush them into powders and mix them with a little bit of water. You could also mix with different colored paints.
2. Experiment with the different colors and textures, and then paint pictures with your 'soil paint'.
3. Find more detailed instructions on this webpage :( https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/detail/soils/edu/kthru6/?cid=nrcs142p2_054304 )
4. Explore more activities in the Soils Challenge badge and complete these as per the requirements in order to earn the Badge!
Relevant information if you are facilitating.
1. To earn the Ocean Badge, the participant must complete one of the 2 compulsory acticities presented at the beginning of each section, and also do at least one additional activity in each of the sections.
2. As the coding scheme that suggests the age-approriateness of the activities is only indicative, use your experience and judgement to select the most appropriate activities for your group.
3. You can incorporate additional activities that are not listed in the booklet, but which allow you still achieve the educational requirements.
Materials
- Different types of soils
- Water
- Paint in different colors
- Manilla paper or Plain Paper
- Paint brushes
