Developing Elementary-Level Curriculum in Soil (Health) Appreciation: Final Report

This BIOAg final report describes development of elementary-level soil health curriculum designed to build youth awareness of soils, soil biodiversity, and soil stewardship. Tarah Sullivan worked with schools, science centers, 4-H Extension partners, and environmental outreach partners to test hands-on educational strategies and create STEM learning modules for elementary students. Activities included Earth Explorers summer camps, the Mudskippers afterschool program, a Grow Your Own Food camp and exhibit, vermicomposting curriculum at Pullman High School, a compost biology demonstration booth at the Sunflower Festival at Paschal Sherman Indian School, and soil health educational modules developed with the Lake Roosevelt Forum and PacWest. The project reached hundreds of elementary-age students in Washington through books, activities, demonstrations, and curriculum resources. It also supported one undergraduate hourly employee, Araseli Almeida, who gained experience in soil health education while pursuing an education degree.