Learning Modules to Accompany the Smithsonian Traveling Exhibit for K-12 Soil Science.

The Smithsonian traveling exhibit Dig It! The Secrets of Soils begins its tour in the spring of 2010.  The 5,000 sq. ft. traveling exhibit will contain 54 soil monoliths, video components, interactive stations, and three scale models.  The traveling exhibit will be available for 3-month booking periods from May 2010 through September 2013 (www.sites.si.edu/soils/).  To aid local educators in preparation for the traveling exhibit, the K-12 Learning Modules subcommittee of S-591 has begun the process of creating, editing, and organizing learning modules for distribution prior to the arrival of the exhibit.  Currently seven modules have been selected.  Each module will aim to address an important principle of soil science and will contain specific objectives, lesson plans, and activities.  While the seven modules are the same for grades K-12, the subcommittee is in the process of customizing the specific objectives, lessons plans, and activities to reach three key audiences: K-4, 5-8, and 9-12.  Teachers will be provided with 5-7 hours worth of material with the flexibility of devoting an entire day to soils education or incorporating soils into their daily curriculum.  Furthermore, the learning modules will contain a guide correlating specific lessons and activities with national and state standards.  Acknowledging the challenges many teachers face in obtaining the necessary supplies for teaching soil-related activities, the subcommittee is also preparing a materials list, which will included several sources for supplies.  In addition to providing preparation for the traveling exhibit, the learning modules will be available on-line as a permanent resource for K-12 educators.  The seven learning modules and examples of soil lessons for each of the three key audiences will be shared.  Audience participants will be asked to take part in an open discussion regarding soil lessons, sources for soil-related supplies, and hands-on experience in teaching students from K-12.