The innovative soil research project underway in Otago called ‘Soil your Undies’ is teaching school children and rural communities about the importance of soil health. Some students shared their learnings at the Science Festival.
The Soil your Undies Otago research project is teaching school students about the importance of soil health, the components of healthy and productive soil and how to measure soil health using earthworm counts and burying cotton strips (hence the project name ‘Soil your Undies’).
Carrie presented her soil model at the Science Festival in Dunedin as part of the Soil Your Undies exhibition, where she helped the project team explain all the component of soil to others.
Weston Primary School student, Carrie Ambler enjoyed her classroom learning so much that she went home and created a soil model complete with Earthworms, Protozoa, Fungi and Bacteria.
NOSLaM Engagement Officer Bridget McNally says, “This was a team 'Ambler' effort with Carrie doing lots of the work herself and then roping in Mum, Dad and Granny for the worm sewing and the sack sewing after Carrie had filled it with wool. Thank you Carrie for creating such a valuable learning tool.”
Carrie, her peers, and teacher Jenny Kitchin, are one of 13 East and North Otago Schools participating in this fun and interactive learning project that creates a wider discussion about rural soil health while teaching people simple and effective ways of determining soil health.
Soil your Undies is Funded by Curious Minds Participatory Science Platform and Otago Regional Council ECO Fund.
B+LNZ is proud to partner in the project alongside other partner organisations including the East Otago Catchment Group, North Otago Land Management Group (NOSLaM), EnviroSchools Otago, AgResearch, Federated Farmers, Otago University scientists, Dung Beetle Innovations, Fonterra, Waitaki Whitestone Geopark, Otago Regional Council Eco fund and Curious Minds.
