DIG IT! THE SECRETS OF SOIL These DIG IT! Materials were developed by NACD based on an exhibition developed by the Smithsonian’s National Museum of Natural History and sponsored by the Soil Science Society of America and the Nutrients for Life Foundation.

2 pt 3 pt 4 pt 5 pt 1 pt 2 pt 3 pt 4 pt 5 pt 1 pt 2 pt 3 pt 4 pt 5 pt 1 pt 2 pt 3 pt 4 pt 5 pt 1 pt 2 pt 3 pt 4 pt 5 pt 1 pt Soils Everyday Soil Profile “Soil” community “Soil” basics Phrases with “Soil”

Question: Soils Everyday - 1 pt Are soils important in your every day life?

Answer: Soils Everyday - 1 pt Are soils important in your every day life? Yes Name some of the ways? Food, clothing, natural areas to enjoy (parks),

Question: Soils Everyday - 2 pts Your house is built on soil. Does the type of soil matter?

Answer: Soils Everyday - 2 pts Your house is built on soil. Does the type of soil matter? YES! A solid clay foundation is best because the clay particles can pack tightly together.

Question: Soils Everyday - 3 pts Are soils used to make medicine?

Answer: Soils Everyday - 3 pts YES Many life-saving antibiotics use compounds made by microorganisms that live in the soil. Are soils used to make medicine?

Question: Soils Everyday - 4 pts What is compost?

Answer: Soils Everyday - 4 pts What is compost? The decomposition of materials that make soil.

Question: Soils Everyday - 5 pts Trace a cotton t-shirt back to the soil.

Answer: Soils Everyday - 5 pts Cotton is a plant that grows in the soil - the t- shirt is made from cotton spun into thread, and woven into cloth. The cotton plant got its start in the soil. Trace a cotton t-shirt back to the soil.

Question: Soil Profile - 1 pt What is a soil profile?

Answer: Soil Profile - 1 pt A slice of the earth that shows layers of soil. Those layers can be an inch or several feet thick. They differ in color, texture and in many ways that are important to ecosystems and people. What is a soil profile?

Question: Soil Profile - 2 pts What is the top layer in a soil profile called?

Top soil Answer: Soil Profile - 2 pts What is the top layer in a soil profile called?

Question: Soil Profile - 3 pts What is material we find on top of the soil before it starts to breakdown?

Answer: Soil Profile - 3 pts Residue - It can be leaves, stalks/steams from crops, or other materials that will break down. What is material we find on top of the soil before it starts to breakdown?

Question: Soil Profile - 4 pts What is the average time it takes to make 1” of topsoil?

Answer: Soil Profile - 4 pts What is the average time it takes to make 1” of topsoil? It can take 100 to 500 years or more to make 1” of topsoil

Question: Soil Profile - 5 pts Does each state or US territory have a soil that represents their state?

Answer: Soil Profile - 5 pts YES, many have been authorized by legislation. Many of these “Official State Soils” share the same level of distinction as official state flowers and birds. Does each state or US territory have a soil that represents their state?

Question: “Soil” community - 1 pt Name some ways soils are important in your community?

Answer: “Soil” community - 1 pt Name some ways soils are important in your community?

Question: “Soil” community - 2 pts Name 3 foods that come from soils.

Answer: “Soil” community - 2 pts Name 3 foods that come from soils.

Question: “Soil” community - 3 pts What is soil erosion? How can it be stopped?

Answer: “Soil” community - 3 pts Movement of soil by wind or water. One way to help slow or stop soil erosion is to to keep the soil in place by planting plants that will hold the soil in place with their roots What is soil erosion? How can it be stopped?

Question: “Soil” community - 4 pts Do septic systems work in all types of soils?

Answer: “Soil” community - 4 pts No Do septic systems work in all types of soils?

Question: “Soil” community- 5 pts Who can help you locate the type of soil your home, school or business is built on?

Answer: “Soil” community - 5 pts Your local USDA office, Soil & Water Conservation District office or online at Who can help you locate the type of soil your home, school or business is built on?

Question: “Soil” basics - 1 pt Do soils have different colors?

Answer: “Soil” basics - 1 pt Do soils have different colors? Yes, reds, browns, yellow, gray, black, purple, green and more.

Question: “Soil” basics - 2 pts Are soils critical to forests, wetlands, grasslands, tundra and streams?

Answer: “Soil” basics - 2 pts Are soils critical to forests, wetlands, grasslands, tundra and streams? Yes

Question: “Soil” basics– 3 pts What are the 3 basic components of soil texture?

Answer: “Soil” basics - 3 pts What are the 3 basic components of soil texture?

Question: “Soil” basics - 4 pts Which of the 3 components of soil texture is the largest in size? Clay Silt Sand

Answer: “Soil” basics - 4 pts Which of the 3 components of soil texture is the largest in size? SAND Sand

Question: “Soil” basics - 5 pts Which of the 3 components of soil texture is the smallest in size? Clay Silt Sand

Answer: “Soil” basics - 5 pts Which of the 3 components of soil texture is the smallest in size? CLAY

Question: Phrases with “Soil” - 1 pt Soils make life _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _.

Answer: Phrases with “Soil” - 1 pt Soils make life _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _. possible

Question: Phrases with “Soil” - 2 pts _ _ _ _ grow in soils.

Answer: Phrases with “Soil” - 2 pts _ _ _ _ grow in soils. Crops

Question: Phrases with “Soil” - 3 pts Prevent soil _ _ _ _ _ _ _.

Answer: Phrases with “Soil” - 3 pts Prevent soil _ _ _ _ _ _ _. erosion

Question: Phrases with “Soil” - 4 pts Soils have _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _.

Answer: Phrases with “Soil” - 4 pts Soils have _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _. minerals

Question: Phrases with “Soil” - 5 pts _ _ _ _ _ _ _ our soils.

Answer: Phrases with “Soil” - 5 pts _ _ _ _ _ _ _ our soils. Protect