Exploring Climate, Soils, �and Sustainability

American Geosciences Institute

Lauren Brase

American Geosciences Institute

• AGI represents and serves the geoscience community by providing collaborative leadership and information to connect Earth, science, and people.

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• Select Programs and Resources:
• Earth Science Week 
• Earth Science Everywhere
• October 13-19
• Teaching & Learning Academy
• Denver, July 10-13
• Education Geosource

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• AGI & NRCS Collaboration - Activities and Resources

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• www.soils4teachers.org

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What comes to mind when you hear the word soil?

Why should we care about soil?

https://sdgs.un.org/

Soil Basics

Soil Profiles provided by John A. Kelley, USDA-NRCS

Investigating Soil Texture – Qualitatively

1. Try to form the sample into a ball in the palm of your hand. If the sample will not stay together to form into a ball, the sample is in GROUP 1.

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• Toss or bounce the ball in your palm. If the ball falls apart, the soil is in GROUP 2.

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• If the ball stays together, place it between both palms and rub them together vigorously. If the ball comes apart, the soil is in GROUP 3.

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• If the soil stays together, place it between your thumb and index finger. Apply pressure and rub the sample smoothing it out on your thumb. If the sample is ruffled or broken, the soil is in GROUP 4.

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• If the soil is slick and shiny with a soap appearance and feel, the soil is in GROUP 5.

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USDA/NRCS

Investigating Soil Texture – Quantitively

• Soil in a Jar
1. Measure the total height of the soil.
2. Measure the height of the layers.
3. Calculate percent of each material.
4. Determine the texture using the texture triangle.

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Soil Texture Calculator | NRCS

What does soil have to do with climate?

1. How do you think soil health relates to climate stability?

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• How do you think climate change might impact soil health?

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• How might healthy soil contribute to a more sustainable future in the face of climate challenges?

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Creating a Map of Carbon Flows

• Where is carbon located?

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• Hands-on Activity
1. Brainstorm all the places where carbon is located (such as atmosphere, oceans, etc.).
2. Now, focus in on where carbon is located that is related to soil. Write down each place on a sticky note.
3. Arrange the sticky notes on the table and add arrows displaying how carbon moves between these locations.

• Analysis
• What do you notice about this map?
• What field of science are we exploring in this map?
• How many parts of this map would impact our lives if they changed?

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Mapping Carbon related to Soil

Credit: Soil Science Society of America

Soil Activities Related to a Changing Climate

• Comparing Organic Matter in Soil in the Chicago Area
• Soil is Alive: Observing Soil Respiration
• Observing Impacts to Communities Built on Permafrost
• Impacts of Groundcover on the Erodibility of Soil
• Exploring Soil Data on Web Soil Survey

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Comparing Organic Matter in Soil in the Chicago Area

Soil is Alive: Observing Soil Respiration

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(Doran, Sarrantonio, & Liebig, 1996)

Observing Impacts to Communities Built on Permafrost

Impacts of Groundcover on the Erodibility of Soil

Exploring Soil Data on Web Soil Survey

• Introduction Guide
• Climate Dynamics Guide
• Soil and climate in science education
• Carbon sequestration
• Climate-related natural disasters

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Soil Activities Related to a Changing Climate

• Comparing Organic Matter in Soil in the Chicago Area
• Soil is Alive: Observing Soil Respiration
• Observing Impacts to Communities Built on Permafrost
• Impacts of Groundcover on the Erodibility of Soil
• Exploring Soil Data on Web Soil Survey

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Activity Debrief

• Comparing Organic Matter in Soil in the Chicago Area
• Soil is Alive: Observing Soil Respiration
• Observing Impacts to Communities Built on Permafrost
• Impacts of Groundcover on the Erodibility of Soil
• Exploring Soil Data on Web Soil Survey

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Poster Content & Activities

• Soil Classifications
• Determine the soil order where you are located
• Learn about local soil (Web Soil Survey & State Soil)

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• Soil Basics
• Make observations of soil profiles
• Analyze a soil sample
• How are soils related to the Earth systems?

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• Soil’s Role in Carbon Sequestration
• Examine carbon sequestration map
• Compare soil order map and carbon sequestration map
• Soils and the SDGs
• ESW calendar December and June activities
• Soils filter pollutants
• Emerging technologies use soil as renewable resource
• There are many soil-related careers
• Learning about urban soils
• Protecting soils
• Watching soil respiration
• Investigate life in soil

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• Facilitator Guide and Student ESD Kit
• Hands-on learning
• Data-focused analysis
• Computer coding,
• Applications of microprocessors

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• Investigations related to soil:
• Inv. 2: Greenhouse Gases and Climate
• Inv. 7A: Assessing Soil Health
• Inv. 7B: Sustainable Farming Practices

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Explore Soil Science out in the Field

• Teacher Field Experience
• Work with a local soil scientist out in the field and/or in the laboratory
• Substitute cost covered
• Receive a $300 stipend and reimbursements up to $200 for mileage and materials

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• North Central Regional Soil Survey Conference
• June 24-27 in Platteville, WI
• Attend sessions about soil science and soil in education, and a day-long field excursion with soil scientists
• Option to receive CEUs
• Registration and mileage covered

Contact lbrase@americangeoscience.org to take part in these programs.

Thanks for attending �Exploring Climate, Soils, and Sustainability

Please be sure you have signed in; I will be emailing the slides out which have links to the resources on Monday.

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Let me know if you are interested in spending a day out in the field with a soil scientist!

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Lauren Brase

LBrase@americangeosciences.org