Integrating Soil Science into Primary School Curricula: Students Promote Soil Science Education with Dig It! The Secrets of Soil

Abstract

Core Ideas There is a need to incorporate soil science into primary education. A partnership brought soil science to Grades 2–7 in the Sacramento–Davis area of California. Graduate students used the Dig It! soils exhibit to engage primary school students. Curricula standards are a potential constraint and entry point for soil science. Principles of soil science are highly complementary with subjects required by state and national standards and offer an opportunity to integrate science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) education and non‐STEM subjects, such as history and anthropology. However, soil science is often absent from primary education curricula. This is a missed opportunity for both primary education and the soil science community. We integrated soil science into primary education using the Soil Science Society of America (SSSA) traveling soil science exhibit Dig It! The Secrets of Soil. This effort was unique in that primary school educators, The California Museum staff, SSSA, and University of California–Davis graduate students worked to make the exhibit into an external classroom for Grades 2 through 7. The goal was to raise awareness and knowledge of soils and their importance to society and to offer example career opportunities in soil science. Grade‐specific presentations and activity‐based workshops were designed to address California curricula standards. These efforts identified several gaps and opportunities in soil science outreach to primary education. Participatory and observational activities were critical for conveying concepts across all educational grades. Curricula standards represented a potential constraint and corresponding entry point to facilitate the incorporation of soil science into primary education. Our experience demonstrates the ongoing impact of Dig it! The Secrets of Soil, and illustrates the potential of collaboration between academic institutions like UC–Davis and SSSA to improve soil science education.