Dig It!

Exhibition
Follow the directions to navigate your way through the online exhibition of
Dig It! put together by the Smithsonian The bold text mean you need
to answer a question or write something down.
!o to this web site" http"##forcessiedu#soils#$%&$$&$$html
'ead the introduction titled Si(ing )p Soils
*lic+ on ,he -ig .icture and ta+e the /ui(0 if you miss a 1uestion clic+ on
the 2earn 3ore and learn about the topic
What is one interesting fact about soil that you learned from the
quiz?
.hosphorous is an important factor from soil to plants and animals ,he
4ma(on 'ainforest receives its phosphorous from the Sahara Desert because
huge storms are created that drive the dust particles down to the 'ain Forest
and are deposited
*lic+ on State Soil 3onoliths clic+ on ,exas then choose % other states and
read about their soil
What is a Fun Fact about Texas soil?
,he students from ,exas 453 study the soil that comes from places of
agriculture0 ecology0 forestry0 recreation0 and crop science
What is in the soil of one other state? Tell me the name of the state.
6ew 7or+" 8oneoye9Forest soil contains limestone at the very bottom0 red
iron and clay :ust above that0 and on top is surface organic material
What is so special about the soil of one other state? Tell me the
name of the state, it needs to be diferent from Texas, and the state
in the question aboe.
.uerto 'ico" it provides sugarcane0 pineapples0 hay0 and several other crops
*lic+ on ;hat is Soil read through all < pages and answer these 1uestions
! teaspoon of good farm soil contains up to " billion bacteria in
more than #$$$ species.
%oil is the life of the earth. %oils are alie, they are born, they age,
they breathe.
What are the ingredients of soil?
3ixture of minerals0 air0 water0 and living5dead things
=n page > watch the *hef?s *hallenge video
What is the today&s secret ingredient?
%and
Who are the 'udges?
(uince, )assy )aligane, %ilania
=n page @ clic+ on the 'ecipe -oo+ read some of the diAerent soil recipes
,hen clic+ on the Soil ingredients ta+e the 1ui( to see if you can determine
the ma+eup of diAerent types of soils
What * of ingredients ma+e up ,esert %oil?
-.* /inerals
##* !ir
0* Water
"* 1rganic /atter
2oamy %oil?
#-* /ineral
0-* Water
0-* !ir
-* 1rganic /atter
3eaty 4og?
-$* Water
#$* 1rganic /atter
"$* /inerals
'ead page < What does 52163T stand for?
5275limate
171rganisms
676elief
373arent /aterial
T7Time
*lic+ on *hip oA the =ld -loc+ read through all B pages
8-* of the earth&s crust is made of 'ust eight elements. What are
they?
Oxygen, Silicon, Aluminum, Iron, Calcium, Sodium, Potassium, Magnesium
Texture in9uences a soil&s capacity to hold water.
=n page B play the *olor 3atching game
)ray.4lue.)reen : wetland mineral soils
6ed.;ellow.1range : upland soils
*lic+ on Soil Forming Factors read through all B pages =n page % play the
8idden 8ori(ons game
,escribe the ! horizon.
! mineral layer that&s either at the surface or 'ust below that
contains the most soil and organic matter
What is a monolith?
! sample of the topsoil down in a ertical slab
=n page @ clic+ on the Earth S+in ,ypes
,escribe <ltisols.
Weathered tropical and subtropical soil
What type of soil is in our area?
ultisoil
=n page B clic+ play the ;here in the Soil ;orld are 7ou
The 9ip 9op is in the olcanic soil type.
The spur is in the grassland soil type.
The mammoth tus+ is in the permafrost soil type.
*lic+ on 3atters of 2ife and Death0 read through all B pages
=ot all forms of life need oxygen to breathe. What other things can
microorganisms use?
>lectrons in soil organic matter mixed with oxygen, nitrogen, and
sulfur
,escribe some of the characteristics of 2ichens.
Tolerate heat, cold, and drought. 6oam soil7less areas such as
mountain areas. 2ichens release organic acid that slowly dissoles
roc+.
*lic+ on )nderneath it 4ll0 read through all < pages =n page C clic+ on the
)nderneath it 4ll lin+ to dig deep and examine the eAects our choices have
on soil
What are some of the things that you may ?nd in the Washington,
,.5. soil sample?
@n land?lls you ?nd construction rubble and whole parts li+e
lightbulbs
What are some of the things that you may ?nd in the Terra 3reta
%oil of the !mazon?
4ro+en pottery
=n page > What is an increasing problem caused by global
warming?
6ising temperatures are afecting the freeze line of arctic soils
=n page @ What was wrong with the soil in Frederic+sburg, Airginia?
Bighly acidic soils
*lic+ on ;ise *hoices read through all D pages
%oils are renewable butC
! lot of maintenance is required to +eep it healthy
,escribe some of the new technology that helps manage soil
fertility.
%ensors collect data on how much fertilizer is needed in the soil
Bow is the /illennium Aillages 3ro'ect restoring soil fertility?
!dd manure and compost
*lic+ on 4 ;orld of Soils0 read through all B pages =n page C watch the
Soil" ,he secret Ingredient video
=n page > ,e?ne loessD a rich deposit formed by wind
,he secrets of soils are the secrets of our lives