The workshop encourages artistic expression, scientific observation, and an understanding of the interconnectedness of soil layers and life within soil. It provides a creative and hands-on approach to learning about the natural world while fostering environmental awareness and stewardship. 

Learning outcomes

By the end of this lesson, students will be able to:

•  Explore spoil layers artisticallly by creating artistic representations of the different layers of soil, including topsoil, subsoil, and bedrock, using various art materials like clay, paint, colored pencils or found material.

• Foster creativity, expressing their creativity by designing and crafting miniature bug habitats, such as dioramas or terrariums, that showcase the layers of soil and the creatures that inhabit them.

•  Discover worm life, exploring the fascinating world of insects and other small creatures that live in different layers of soil, learning about their habitats, behaviors, and roles in the ecosystem.
  Sharpen their observational skills by closely studying the details of bugs and their surroundings, incorporating these observations into their artistic creations.

• Understand exosystem interactions, gaining an understanding of how soil layers and bug life are interconnected within ecosystems, and discuss the importance of maintaining a balanced environment.

• Promote environmental awareness, reflecting on the significance of soil conservation and the role that bugs and other soil-dwelling organisms play in maintaining healthy ecosystems.
  
  

Lesson plan

• When conducting a creative interdisciplinary workshop about soil for students, it's important to engage their curiosity and provide interactive and hands-on activities.

• Introduce the importance of soil: Begin by discussing the importance of soil, highlighting its role in supporting plant growth, providing nutrients, and purifying water.

• Explain why soil plays a crucial role in sustainability.
  Nutrient cycling: Soil serves as a natural reservoir of nutrients necessary for plant growth. It acts as a medium for nutrient cycling, where organic matter and decaying plant material decompose and release nutrients back into the soil. This process ensures the availability of essential elements for plants, promoting sustainable agricultural practices and reducing the reliance on synthetic fertilizers.
  Water regulation: Healthy soil has good water-holding capacity, allowing it to absorb and retain water. It helps regulate water flow, preventing erosion and flooding. Soil acts as a natural filter, purifying water as it percolates through the layers, reducing the risk of contamination to groundwater and nearby water bodies.
  Biodiversity support: Soil is home to an incredible diversity of organisms, including bacteria, fungi, insects, worms, and other microorganisms. This biodiversity contributes to the overall health and fertility of the soil. It helps in breaking down organic matter, improving soil structure, controlling pests and diseases, and enhancing nutrient availability, all of which are essential for sustainable agriculture.
  Carbon sequestration: Soil plays a significant role in carbon sequestration, which helps mitigate climate change. Plants absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere through photosynthesis, and a portion of that carbon is transferred into the soil as organic matter. This process, known as carbon sequestration, helps to reduce the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, acting as a natural carbon sink.
  Ecosystem stability: Soil acts as a foundation for terrestrial ecosystems, providing support for plant roots and anchoring vegetation. Healthy soil helps maintain ecosystem stability by preventing erosion, reducing nutrient runoff, and promoting plant growth. It supports a wide range of ecological functions, including nutrient cycling, water purification, and habitat provision, contributing to the overall sustainability of ecosystems.

• Preserving and improving soil health is crucial for long-term sustainability. Practices such as organic farming, agroforestry, conservation tillage, composting, and erosion control techniques help maintain soil fertility, reduce erosion, and enhance its ability to support sustainable agricultural systems and ecosystems. 

• Soil exploration: Set up a soil exploration station where students can examine different types of soil samples. Provide magnifying glasses and let them observe the texture, color, and composition of the soil. Encourage them to describe what they see and feel through the process of working with clay. 

•  Explain the concept of the soil food web. The soil food web refers to the complex network of interactions among organisms living in the soil. It illustrates the interconnectedness of various organisms, including bacteria, fungi, protozoa, nematodes, earthworms, insects, and plant roots that contribute to soil health and ecosystem functioning. In a healthy soil food web, these organisms interact in a mutually beneficial way, performing vital ecological functions.
  
  The soil food web is a dynamic system where the abundance and diversity of organisms vary depending on factors such as soil type, moisture, temperature, and plant cover. A diverse and balanced soil food web is essential for maintaining healthy soil ecosystems, nutrient cycling, soil fertility, and overall ecosystem sustainability. Conservation practices that promote biodiversity, reduce chemical inputs, and encourage organic matter addition can help support a thriving soil food web.
  
  

•  Here are some key components of the soil food web:

Bacteria and fungi: Bacteria and fungi are primary decomposers in the soil. They break down organic matter, such as dead plant material and animal waste, into simpler compounds, releasing nutrients that are essential for plant growth. They also play a role in disease suppression by competing with harmful pathogens.

Protozoa: Protozoa are microscopic organisms that feed on bacteria, fungi, and other organic matter in the soil. They help regulate the populations of bacteria and fungi, and their excretions contribute to nutrient cycling.

Nematodes: Nematodes are small, thread-like worms that inhabit the soil. They can be classified into different groups based on their feeding habits. Some nematodes are predatory and feed on bacteria, fungi, or other nematodes, helping to control populations. Others are beneficial, feeding on plant pathogens. However, some nematodes can be harmful to plants and cause crop damage.

Earthworms: Earthworms are highly beneficial for soil health. They burrow through the soil, improving its structure and promoting aeration and water infiltration. Earthworms consume organic matter, helping in the breakdown and decomposition process. They also excrete nutrient-rich castings, which enhance soil fertility.

Insects and arthropods: Soil-dwelling insects and arthropods contribute to nutrient cycling, organic matter decomposition, and soil structure improvement. Some examples include beetles, springtails, mites, and ants. These organisms perform various functions, such as consuming organic matter, aiding in decomposition, and contributing to soil aeration.

Plant roots: The roots of plants play a crucial role in the soil food web. They release sugars and other compounds into the soil, providing food for microorganisms. In return, microorganisms assist in nutrient uptake by plants and help protect them from diseases.

• Worm composting: Teach students about the role of worms in soil health and decomposition. Set up a worm composting bin and allow them to observe and interact with the worms. Explain how worms break down organic matter and enrich the soil with their castings.

• Explain what kind of soil clay is. Clay is a naturally occurring material composed primarily of fine-grained minerals, the most common of which is kaolinite. It is a type of soil that has a distinctive texture and properties that make it useful in various applications. Clay is formed through the weathering and decomposition of rocks, especially feldspar-rich rocks like granite, under the influence of water, wind, and other natural forces. Over time, these processes break down the minerals into smaller particles, with clay being the smallest and finest among them. Clay can be molded and shaped when it contains enough water. This property is known as plasticity, and it makes clay suitable for pottery and ceramics. Clay particles have a strong attraction to each other, which leads to cohesive behavior. This property allows clay to hold its shape when molded and prevents it from easily crumbling. Clay has a high capacity for retaining water, and it can absorb and retain moisture for extended periods. This makes it important for soil in agriculture, as it can hold water and nutrients for plant growth. Clay can come in various colors, including red, brown, gray, and white, depending on the mineral content and environmental conditions where it forms. 

• Earliest evidence of ceramics in the form of pottery and figurines can be traced back to the Prehistoric Period (c. 24,000 BCE – 3000 BCE). Ceramics have evolved from simple pottery for utilitarian purposes to a highly diverse and versatile art form and industry. Today, ceramics play a crucial role in various fields, including art, engineering, electronics, and advanced materials, showcasing the enduring appeal and adaptability of this ancient craft. Today,contemporary artists continue to push the boundaries of traditional pottery and explore new forms and techniques.

•  Grounding exercises with natural clay. Students play with clay, forming balls with their hands. As the students explore their senses ask them to talk about their feelings.

• When working with clay straight from nature it needs to be wedged. If you buy commercially produced clay and it is well prepared, you may be able to use it right out of the bag. The traditional method to get all the air out of your clay and tighten it up for working is to learn how to foot wedge. Foot wedging allows you to use your body weight to wedge large amounts of clay.

• Reflect on memories connected to soil: It can be a recent memory or an older one. How was the smell, what was the sound, how was it to touch the soil....

• Reflect on your experience: How did it feel to wedge the clay? Take a deep breath and appreciate the sense of grounding and connection you cultivated. This grounding exercise allows you to immerse yourself in nature, practice mindfulness, and express your creativity through drawing. It can be a calming and centering activity that helps you reconnect with the environment and find a sense of peace and balance.
  
  

• Plaster of Paris casting:

  1.  Use the clay the students wedged or kneaded to make a mold for casting. You can also buy clay, but it must be clay that doesn't react with plaster of Paris. Make sure the clay is soft and pliable for easy manipulation.

  2. Prepare your workspace: Set up a clean and flat surface to work on. Consider covering it with a plastic sheet or wax paper to prevent the clay from sticking to the surface.

  3. Shape the clay: Take a portion of the clay and knead it in your hands to soften it further. Form it into a shallow bowl and press into this objects and leaves to create an object you want to cast. Ensure the clay is thick enough to withstand the weight and pressure of the plaster of Paris. 

  4. Embed the object: Press the object you wish to cast firmly into the clay. Make sure it sinks partially into the clay, but remains visible and accessible. Insects or other living creatures that students have discovered with microscopes can be of great inspiration in the process. Explain to students the concept of positive and negative space in sculpture and explain how the things you will stick into the clay will become the elements that will stick out in the plaster.

  5. Prepare the plaster of Paris: Follow the instructions on the plaster of Paris packaging to mix the appropriate amount of water with the plaster. Stir the mixture thoroughly until it reaches a smooth and creamy consistency (1 cup water: 2 cups plaster).

  6. Pour the plaster of Paris: Slowly pour the plaster of Paris mixture into the mold. Gently tap the mold on the sides to release any air bubbles trapped in the plaster. Put hooks in the plaster if you want to hang it up.

  7. Allow the plaster to set: Let the plaster cure and harden according to the instructions provided by the manufacturer. The drying time can vary depending on the brand and thickness of the casting.

  8. Demold the plaster: Once the plaster has completely hardened, carefully remove the clay mold from the plaster. Slowly peel away the clay or gently dig it out with tools, being cautious not to damage the plaster casting.

  9. Clean and refine the plaster casting: Use sandpaper, files, or other tools to clean up any rough edges or imperfections on the plaster casting. You can also apply a sealant or paint to enhance the appearance if desired.

  10. Remember to handle both the clay and plaster of Paris with care, following safety instructions provided by the manufacturers. 

• Explain how the soil is built up from different layers

• The surface layer or the topsoil is the top layer of soil that you can see when you dig into the ground. It's where plants grow, and it's rich in nutrients, like vitamins for plants. Healty topsoil is usually dark and crumbly, like chocolate cake crumbs. It's where worms and insects live, too!

• The middle layer is below the topsoil, this is another layer called subsoil. It's not as good for plants as the topsoil because it has fewer nutrients. Subsoil is a bit lighter in color and can be harder and more compacted.
  The deep layer is way down at the very bottom and is called bedrock. It is like a hard rock or stone that makes a solid foundation for the ground. It's super tough, and you can't dig through it easily. Plant roots can't grow into the bedrock because it's too hard. 

• You can show students an image of a peat profile taken on a mined peatland where successful regeneration has occurred through initial colonization. The former peat surface is visible at the bottom. The dark brown layer is the former peat surface that has undergone partial decomposition under oxygenated conditions. The less decomposed, lighter brown peat with recognizable plant remains lies above, and the living mosses and vascular plants are at the top.

•  Make a drawing of the different layers of the soil. 

• Explain why peat is an important form of soil. Peatland, also known as a peat swamp or bog, is a type of wetland characterized by the accumulation of partially decomposed organic matter called peat. It forms in waterlogged conditions where the rate of plant growth exceeds the rate of decomposition. Peatlands face threats such as drainage, degradation, and conversion for agriculture, forestry, and peat extraction. These activities can lead to the loss of carbon storage, biodiversity, and ecosystem services provided by peatlands. Protecting and restoring peatlands is crucial for conserving their ecological functions and ensuring their long-term sustainability Peatlands are important for several reasons such as carbon storage, water regulation, biodiversity and habitat, water Quality and filtration, cultural and historical value.

• Create soil profiles in groups from recycled found material.

• Display the art works.

• Students show and explain their creation.

• Earth dance Student create an instant choreography of bog gestures performed in sequence.