News - Leitzel Center at the University of New Hampshire
Hampstead Central School (NH) Pre-K through 4th Grade Students Explore Soils with the Soil Tent Program
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n May 2022, the Soil Tent spent four days at Hampstead Central School in Hampstead, NH.
The Soil Tent is a traveling STEAM educational exhibit that combines hands-on GLOBE science activities centered around the pedosphere and a ten-by-ten pop-up tent with murals depicting students’ observations of their local soil ecosystems. The tent was developed by the NH GLOBE Team, the USDA Forest Service, and the Northern Arts Alliance.
Sarah Wisecarver, Hampstead’s Ventures Teacher, ran the programming throughout the week. “This was an incredible opportunity for our students and staff,” Ms. Wisecarver said. “Over the course of the week, I was able to use the tent and material with nearly 500 students in preschool through grade 4.”
After reading the GLOBE Storybook ”The Scoop on Soils” and brainstorming what they might find in the soil, students used an auger, soil corer, and shovel to dig soil cores in four different locations outside their school. They explored what they found and compared the soil in each location with GLOBE Soil Color books, magnifying lenses, sieves, and measurement tools. They recorded their observations with sketching and writing and were able to make their own mini soil profile—a scaled down version of the soil sample they had taken (An NRCS activity). 
Ms. Wisecarver then collaborated with the school’s art teacher, Michael Terrile, to bring in an artistic component to their soil observations. Mr. Terrile worked with the 4th grade students to create soil profile paintings of four Hampstead School locations. They even used soil from the actual location in their paint! A collection of the paintings was chosen to be displayed in the Hampstead School District office over the summer.
The students loved the hands-on experience and Ms. Wisecarver’s enthusiasm made it fun even on the rainy days. In a letter to Ms. Wisecarver one student wrote, “I am so happy you brought the Soil Tent for all of us to learn in. It was so fun even when it was raining.” Another student said, “Thank you for letting us see the cool soil tent. Then, I am happy I saw a worm, Next, I am happy I used the tools. Finally, I loved learning about soil.”
Learn more about the Soil Tent program here. The implementation guide and list of tools is available from the website. New Hampshire schools and organizations can learn how to reserve the tent here!
Top image: Hampstead students explore a soil core. Bottom image: 4th grade students work with their art teacher to create soil profile paintings.
News origin: Leitzel Center at the University of New Hampshire