Oggie the Organic Earth Steward
Takes you on a journey looking after our soil
Contents of this Page
Facts about Soil
Resources
Facts about Pesticides
Book suggestions
Mantle of Expert Drama
Fact about Soil
Soil is a living ecosystem
. Soil is home to a wide variety of organisms, including bacteria, fungi, insects, and worms, which play a vital role in breaking down organic matter and enriching the soil.
There are different types of soil:
The most common types are sandy, clay, silt, and loamy soil, each with different properties like texture, drainage, and nutrient content
Soil is made of 4 key components
Soil consists of mineral particles (sand, silt, clay), organic matter (decomposed plants and animals), water, and air.
Soil helps plants grow
Plants depend on soil for essential nutrients, water, and a stable environment for their roots to anchor and grow
Soil has layers
The topsoil (the uppermost layer) is rich in nutrients and organic matter, while the subsoil contains minerals and less organic material. Below these layers is the bedrock, which is mostly made of hard, solid rock.
Soil helps filter and store water
Soil acts as a filter, purifying water as it passes through, and stores water for plants to use. Healthy soil can retain moisture better than poor-quality soil.
Soil can take hundreds of years to form
Soil formation is a slow process, typically taking hundreds or even thousands of years to develop a few centimeters of fertile soil
Soil erosion is a major environmental issue
Soil can be eroded by wind and water, especially when vegetation is removed or soil is overworked. Erosion can lead to the loss of fertile land and increase the risk of flooding
Links to Soil Resources
Our Resources
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10 Facts about Pesticides in our soil
What Are Pesticides?
Pesticides are chemicals farmers and gardeners use to kill pests like insects, weeds, or fungi that harm plants.How Pesticides Get Into the Soil:
When farmers spray pesticides on crops, some of the chemicals fall onto the ground and mix with the soil.Staying Power:
Pesticides don’t disappear right away. Some stay in the soil for weeks, months, or even years, depending on the type of pesticide.Soil Creatures Are Affected:
Tiny animals and insects like earthworms, which help make soil healthy, can be harmed by pesticides.Nutrient Changes:
Pesticides can change the nutrients in the soil, which might make it harder for plants to grow naturally.Water Pollution Risk:
Rain can wash pesticides out of the soil into rivers, lakes, or groundwater, which can harm fish, plants, and animals.Pesticides Can Build Up:
If farmers use too many pesticides over time, the soil might store harmful levels, making it unhealthy for plants and animals.Organic Farming Uses Less Pesticide:
Organic farmers use fewer or no chemical pesticides and instead rely on natural ways to protect crops, keeping the soil healthier.Some Pesticides Break Down Naturally:
Certain pesticides can be broken down by sunlight, water, or microbes in the soil, but this process can take time.Protecting Soil is Important:
Healthy soil helps grow healthy food, so scientists are working to create pesticides that are safer for the soil and the environment.
Books about soil for Primary
Suggested books for Primary /Elementary ages .
Outdoor Earth STEAM Activities about Soil for Upper Primary
Soil Profile Exploration
STEAM Focus: Science, Technology, and Engineering
Objective: Learn about the layers of soil and their characteristics.
Materials:
Shovels
Clear plastic jars with lids
Water
Soil sample collection tools
Activity:
Divide learners into small groups and assign each a digging spot.
Ask them to collect soil samples from different depths (e.g., topsoil, subsoil).
Place each layer into a clear jar, adding water and shaking gently to observe sedimentation.
Discuss the soil layers (topsoil, subsoil, bedrock) and how they support life.
Extension: Use a smartphone or tablet app to identify minerals in the soil.
Soil Ecosystem Detective
STEAM Focus: Science and Art
Objective: Observe and document living organisms in soil.
Materials:
Magnifying glasses or handheld microscopes
Notebooks or sketchpads
Coloured pencils or markers
Activity:
Learners dig small patches of soil and observe the mini beasts (e.g., worms, ants, beetles).
Identify the creatures and document their roles in the soil ecosystem.
Learners create sketches of what they observe and label their drawings.
Discuss how these organisms contribute to nutrient cycling and soil health.
Soil Art and pH Testing
STEAM Focus: Science, Technology, Art, and Math
Objective: Investigate soil pH and use it to create natural art.
Materials:
Soil samples from different locations
pH testing kits or strips
Paintbrushes
Water and white paper
Activity:
Test the pH of soil samples and discuss how pH affects plant growth.
Mix soil with water to create natural “paints” in varying shades.
Use the soil paints to create artistic depictions of the soil ecosystem.
Discuss how pH variations might influence the colours and textures of the art.
Mantle of Expert
Learning activities
Objective -Investigate a mysterious decline in crop productivity and recommend actions to improve soil health.
Scenario:
A fictional farming community, Sustainaville, is facing a sudden drop in crop yields. The soil appears dry and cracked, and the plants are wilting. The learners, as soil scientists, are invited by the Sustainaville Agriculture Board to identify the problem and develop solutions.
Briefing:
The teacher, as the project manager, introduces the situation. Learners are tasked with analyzing “soil samples” (prepared in advance: jars with different textures like sand, clay, loam).- Some jars can have “pollutants” (small pieces of plastic or foil) or “signs of erosion” (gravel).
Role Play Preparation:
Learners are assigned roles within a soil science team:- Soil Texture Specialist
- Nutrient Analyst
- Biodiversity Checker
- Solutions Planner
Investigation:
Learners rotate through stations where they “test” their soil:- Observe texture and drainage properties.
- Use pH strips or coloured solutions to “test” soil health.
- Identify “microorganisms” (use pictures of worms, fungi, etc.).
The learners present their findings to the “Sustainaville Council” (played by the teacher or other learners). They explain the causes of poor soil health (e.g., erosion, pollution, lack of organic matter) and propose solutions such as composting, planting cover crops, or reducing chemical use.
Learners discuss how healthy soil contributes to food security, biodiversity, and the circular economy.
Objective: Investigate the loss of soil biodiversity in a forest ecosystem and design a conservation plan.
Scenario:
A company, EcoDev Inc., plans to build a new road through the Sustainaville Forest. Reports show a decline in soil biodiversity, potentially linked to nearby human activities. Learners, as biodiversity experts, must assess the soil’s ecosystem and argue their case for preserving it.
Introduction:
The teacher, as the CEO of EcoDev Inc., explains the company’s plan to develop the area. Learners, as biodiversity experts, are invited to assess the impact on the soil and make recommendations.Role Play Preparation:
Learners form biodiversity teams with roles such as:- Soil Microbe Specialist
- Earthworm Conservationist
- Flora and Fauna Ecosystem Analyst
- Policy Advisor
Teams “survey” the forest soil using props:
- Examine “soil samples” for signs of life (include toy worms, laminated images of fungi, etc.).
- Compare “healthy” and “degraded” samples with pictures showing rich soil biodiversity vs. compacted, lifeless soil.
- Discuss the role of soil biodiversity in carbon storage, nutrient cycling, and water filtration.
Boardroom Presentation:
Teams present their findings to the EcoDev Inc. board (played by the teacher or learners). They must argue the importance of preserving the forest soil and suggest alternatives (e.g., rerouting the road or using eco-friendly construction techniques).
Action Plan Creation:
Learners collaboratively design an action plan that balances development and conservation, emphasizing how biodiversity supports sustainable living.
