Get down and dirty with the MAC with Dig It! The Secrets of Soil, an exhibit coming from the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History, where it was the most popular exhibit with teachers and school children in the museum’s history!
Dig It! The Secrets of Soil combines interactive technology, hands-on activities, beautifully illustrated panels and graphics, and even full-size soil core samples from each of the 50 states to explore the importance of soil and its impact on our daily lives. The exhibit aims to teach wise soil use to help reduce environmental risks that threaten the small portion of the Earth’s surface that is farmable.
Take a brief online tour of the exhibit here
The Northwest Museum of Arts & Culture (MAC)
2316 West First Avenue
Spokane, Washington 99201
Visit the MAC web site for hours of operation & admission information
Dig It! The Secrets of Soil is sponsored by broad & diverse partnerships, including the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History, the Spokane Conservation District, the Washington State Conservation Commission, the Natural Resource Conservation Service, the Upper Columbia Resource Conservation and Development Council, the Washington State Society of Soil Scientists, and many more!
There will be a free preview of the Dig It! The Secrets of Soil exhibit for educators on Thursday, February 2, 2012, from 4-5p.m. Please contact Cara Spink at the MAC to reserve a spot before they fill up! Did you know you can preview any exhibit at the MAC before you bring your class? For FREE! Just show your teacher ID.
Funding has been secured to cover the transportation costs to bring students to and from the museum. To schedule a field trip to the exhibit, please contact your appropriate school administrator. Click here for information on other environmental education opportunities provided by the Spokane Conservation District, such as Wheat Week and Water on Wheels. Lessons can be presented to schools, home school groups, and civil organizations.
Classroom Activity Development
The Spokane Conservation District, in conjunction with other agency partners, held a Classroom Activity Development Workshop for the Dig It! The Secrets of Soil exhibit this past July for educators throughout the area. Each participant was given a binder full of information and activities to teach soil science along various grade levels.
You can view an online copy of all the materials that were provided at the workshop here.
To view the material by content, select the files below: