Name________________________________

Dig It! Exhibition

Follow the directions to navigate your way through the online exhibition of
Dig It! ut together by the !mithsonian" The bold text mean you need
to answer a question or write something down.
#o to this web site$ htt$%%forces"si"edu%soils%&'_&&_&&"html
(ead the introduction titled !i)ing * !oils
+lic, on -he .ig /icture and ta,e the 0ui)1 if you miss a 2uestion clic, on
the 3earn 4ore and learn about the toic"
What is one interesting fact about soil that you learned from the
quiz?
That the biggest threat to fsh habitats is soil runof.
+lic, on !tate !oil 4onoliths clic, on -exas then choose ' other states and
read about their soil" What is a Fun Fact about Texas soil?
Students at texas ! " students learn about soil in many ways
such as cro# science$ agriculture$ and forestry
What is in the soil of one other state? Tell me the name of the state.
%n &ew "exico the #enista'a soil is great for su##orting grasslands
that are home to many wildlife.
What is so s#ecial 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 abo(e.
%n rizona the )asa *randa soil su##orts ecosystems such as the
Sonoran desert
+lic, on 5hat is !oil read through all 6 ages and answer these 2uestions"
teas#oon of good farm soil contains u# to + billion bacteria in
more than ,--- s#ecies.
Soil is the s.in of the earth. Soils are ali(e$ they are born$ they age$
they breathe.
What are the ingredients of soil? Water$ minerals$ air$ and organic
materials
7n age 8 watch the +hef9s +hallenge video"
What is the today/s secret ingredient? sand
Who are the 'udges?
0uincy cara#ace$ gassy gallagher$ syl(ana
7n age : clic, on the (ecie .oo, read some of the di;erent soil recies"
-hen clic, on the !oil ingredients ta,e the 2ui) to see if you can determine
the ma,eu of di;erent tyes of soils"
What 1 of ingredients ma.e u# 2esert Soil?
3oamy Soil?
4eaty 5og?
(ead age 6" What does )3674T stand for?
)limate$ organism$ reli(e$ #arent material$ time
+lic, on +hi o; the 7ld .loc, read through all < ages"
891 of the earth/s crust is made of 'ust eight elements. What are
they?
oxygen, silicon, aluminum, iron, calcium, sodium, potassium, and magnesium
Texture in:uences a soil/s ca#acity to hold water.
7n age < lay the +olor 4atching game"
*ray.5lue.*reen ;
7ed.<ellow.6range ;
+lic, on !oil Forming Factors read through all < ages" 7n age ' lay the
=idden =ori)ons game"
2escribe the horizon.
"ineral layer on or near the surface$ more soil organic matter than
the lower le(els
What is a monolith?
large single u#right bloc. of stone
7n age : clic, on the Earth !,in -yes" 2escribe =ltisols.
one of the >' soil orders in the *"!" !oil -axonomy" *ltisols are reddish1 clay?rich1
acidic soils that suort a mixed forest vegetation
What ty#e of soil is in our area?
7n age < clic, lay the 5here in the !oil 5orld are @ou"
The :i# :o# is in the (olcanic soil ty#e.
The s#ur is in the grassland soil ty#e.
The mammoth tus. is in the #ermafrost soil ty#e.
+lic, on 4atters of 3ife and Death1 read through all < ages"
&ot all forms of life need oxygen to breathe. What other things can
microorganisms use?
)arbon dioxide
2escribe some of the characteristics of 3ichens.
build soil in some of the Earths most extreme environments.
+lic, on *nderneath it All1 read through all 6 ages" 7n age > clic, on the
*nderneath it All lin, to dig dee and examine the e;ects our choices have
on soil"
What are some of the things that you may fnd in the Washington$
2.). soil sam#le? #amu.ey
What are some of the things that you may fnd in the Terra 4reta
Soil of the mazon?
)asa *randa soil
7n age 8" What is an increasing #roblem caused by global
warming?
%n las.a the la.es are draining because the #ermafrost that was
holding the la.e is melting
7n age :" What was wrong with the soil in Frederic.sburg$ >irginia?
+lic, on 5ise +hoices read through all B ages"
Soils are renewable but?
Ta.es a hundred years to form an inch
2escribe some of the new technology that hel#s manage soil
fertility.
Sensors read the amount to fertility in the soil
@ow is the "illennium >illages 4ro'ect restoring soil fertility?
5y #lanting trees that enrich soil fertility
+lic, on A 5orld of !oils1 read through all < ages" 7n age > watch the
!oil$ -he secret Ingredient video"
1. 7n age 8" 2efne loessA a loosely compacted yellowish-gray
deposit of windblown sediment
-he secrets of soils are the secrets of our lives"