Students Enjoy Eating Soil!

By:  Bridget L. Cain, Administrative Coordinator, Conecuh SWCD/NRCS, Evergreen, AL

In June 2007, students in grades K-8 enrolled in the Summer Enrichment Program in Conecuh County.  They made a treat that was "soil-licious."

The Conecuh SWCD/NRCS presented a program on soil to over 100 students. When the students were told they were going to do something they probably never had before, their attention was peaked.

The presentation began with a program using "S.K. Worm" -- the official annelid, or worm, of NRCS -- to teach the basics of soil: how it is made, the need for water and oxygen, the living organisms, and the colors.

When the students were informed they were going to make and eat soil, the room was filled with wide eyes and scrunched up noses.  That was until they were given goodies like M&M’s, pudding, crushed cookies, and gummy worms to create their soil profile, then they were delighted.

After a fun time of creating soil from M&M "parent material" to coconut dyed green "residue", everyone enjoyed eating the tasty treat. Even the teachers could not resist the making or the eating of this project!

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