Name Christian Carter

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$%%forces"si"edu%soils%&'(&&(&&"html
)ead the introduction titled !i*ing + !oils
Clic, on -he .ig /icture and ta,e the 0ui*1 if you miss a 2uestion clic, on
the 3earn 4ore and learn about the toic"
What is one interesting fact about soil that you learned from the
quiz?
The farther something is North the faster the soils heats because
since they are exposed to so much ice they react more to global
warming.
Clic, on !tate !oil 4onoliths clic, on -exas then choose ' other states and
read about their soil" What is a Fun Fact about Texas soil?
When Houston lac! soil crac!s from being dry the crac!s can be
"ery large. The strange thing is this dry soil can support grasslands.
What is in the soil of one other state? Tell me the name of the state.
North #arolina has cecil soil.
What is so special about the soil of one other state? Tell me the
name of the state$ it needs to be di%erent from Texas$ and the state
in the question abo"e.
Hawaii has hilo soil near an acti"e "olcano that supports a "ariety of
crops and plants. &t recei"es the most rain of any city in the '( so
the soil is full of nutrients.
Clic, on 5hat is !oil read through all 6 ages and answer these 2uestions"
) teaspoon of good farm soil contains up to * billion bacteria in
more than +,,, species.
(oil is the s!in of the earth. (oils are ali"e$ they are born$ they age$
they breathe.
What are the ingredients of soil? )ir$ water$ minerals$ and organic
material
7n age 8 watch the Chef9s Challenge video"
What is the today-s secret ingredient? (and
Who are the .udges? ) turtle from New /ngland called 0uincy
#arapace$ 1assy 1allagher from #anada$ and a hermit thrush
(ly"ania.
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 2 of ingredients ma!e up 3esert (oil?
452 6inerals
++2 )ir
72 Water
*2 8rganic 6atter
9oamy (oil?
742 )ir
742 Water
42 8rganic 6atter
+42 6inerals
:eaty og?
4,2 Water
*,2 6inerals
+,2 8rganic 6atter
)ead age 6" What does #98;:T stand for?
#limate < 8rganisms < ;elief < :arent 6aterial < Time
Clic, on Chi o; the 7ld .loc, read through all < ages"
=42 of the earth-s crust is made of .ust eight elements. What are
they?
8xygen$ silicon$ aluminum$ iron$ calcium$ sodium$ potassium$ and
magnesium
Texture in>uences a soil-s capacity to hold water and nutrients.
7n age < lay the Color 4atching game"
1ray.lue.1reen ? Wetland 6ineral (oil
;ed.@ellow.8range ? 'pland (oil
Clic, on !oil Forming Factors read through all < ages" 7n age ' lay the
=idden =ori*ons game"
3escribe the ) horizon. ) mineral layer near the surface that
contains more organic matter than the layers below.
What is a monolith? ) "ertical slice from topsoil down to subsoil that
preser"es a soil-s colors and layered horizons in position
7n age : clic, on the Earth !,in -yes" 3escribe 'ltisols. These soils
support forests and sa"annahs but are not "ery fertile.
What type of soil is in our area? 'ltisols
7n age < clic, lay the 5here in the !oil 5orld are >ou"
The >ip >op is in the (outh :aciAc Bolcano soil type
The spur is in the (outh )merican 1rassland soil type.
The mammoth tus! is in the (iberian :ermafrost soil type.
Clic, on 4atters of 3ife and Death1 read through all < ages"
Not all forms of life need oxygen to breathe. What other things can
microorganisms use?
(oil microorganisms use electrons from organic matter in soil and
combine it with other elements.
3escribe some of the characteristics of 9ichens.
Lichens tolerate heat, cold, and drought. They pioneer soil-less surfaces, like rocky
mountain peaks or desert boulders. Lichens release organic acids that very slowly dissolve
rock. Over centuries, they weather precious nutrients from barren rock and form thin soils
that mosses, grasses, and eventually trees can colonize.
Clic, on +nderneath it ?ll1 read through all 6 ages" 7n age @ clic, on the
+nderneath it ?ll lin, to dig dee and examine the e;ects our choices have
on soil"
What are some of the things that you may And in the Washington$
3.#. soil sample?
@ou may And some burnt trash and you will And a lot of manCmade
soils.
What are some of the things that you may And in the Terra :reta
(oil of the )mazon?
#lay pottery fragments in the dar!$ rich soil and then underneath
that you will And unfertile tropical soil.
7n age 8" What is an increasing problem caused by global
warming?
The annual rising temperatures lower the yearCround freeze line.
7n age :" What was wrong with the soil in Frederic!sburg$ Birginia?
&t was highly acidic.
Clic, on 5ise Choices read through all A ages"
(oils are renewable butD
&t ta!es a lot of time$ money$ and !nowChow.
3escribe some of the new technology that helps manage soil
fertility.
(pecial plows help plow Aeld more eEciently and sensors are used
to determine how much fertilizer is needed for a Aeld.
How is the 6illennium Billages :ro.ect restoring soil fertility?
They pro"ide farmers with proper compost and highCyield crops and
then o"er the next year they teach them how to ta!e care of their
Aelds.
Clic, on ? 5orld of !oils1 read through all < ages" 7n age @ watch the
!oil$ -he secret Ingredient video"
7n age 8" 3eAne loessF :atches of highCnutrient soil
-he secrets of soils are the secrets of our lives"