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ASK the scientists any questions you have about science.
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CHAT with the scientists in a 30 minute long text chat booked by your teacher.
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VOTE for your favourite scientist to win a £500 prize to spend on communicating more science.
About this zone
Soil is the reservoir on which most life on earth depends, as the primary source of food, feed, fuel, forage, fiber, and pharmaceuticals.
Soil
Soil plays a vital role in sustaining human welfare and assuring future agricultural productivity and environmental stability. The study of soil as a science has provided us with a basic understanding of the physical, chemical, and biological properties and processes essential to such a complex ecosystem.
Soils are complex mixtures of minerals, water, air, organic matter, and countless organisms that are the decaying remains of once living things. It forms at the surface of land – it is the “skin of the earth.” Soil is capable of supporting plant life and is vital to life on earth.
Soil profile
Tree roots.
Image courtesy of Aaron Escobar
The Soil Society of America (SSSA) provides activities and resources for children and educators to tell the story of soils and learn about this important part of our world. Get lesson plans and discover fun activities at the following sites:
Explore more careers in soil science at www.soils.org/careers
The Soil Zone is funded by the Agronomic Science Foundation Gateway Fund.
The Gateway Fund fosters innovative approaches to inspire young students and guide them to a career in agronomy, crop or soil sciences. Gateway funding enables novel methods to identify, inspire, and recruit high school, undergraduate and graduate students to develop an interest in agronomy, crop or soil sciences. The Agronomic Science Foundation (ASF) also supports young people through the Gateway Scholars Program. This program is designed to introduce high school students to the multitude of scientific disciplines in which members of ASA, CSSA, and SSSA are engaged in by inviting students and teachers from local high schools to attend the ASA, CSSA, & SSSA Annual Meeting and interact directly with scientists who are changing the world through research to meet challenges in global agriculture, food production, alternative energy, and the environment. This project allows ASA, CSSA, and SSSA to give something back to the community hosting the Annual Meeting and will help identify potential talent that the agricultural and environmental sciences need to thrive in the challenging times ahead. Students and educators should submit a proposal to participate in Gateway Scholars.
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