Ohuur Soil Lab Project

Student Scientist Invitation!

Students of all experience levels are invited to participate in the Global Agriculture In Action (GAIA) Ohuur Soil Lab Project, an online-based learning collaborative sponsored by TeachMe.Foundation and local community partners. 

Over a 10-year period (2026-2034), Student Scientists are welcome to review and analyze the soil test results collected yearly at Madrona Marsh Nature Preserve to help us better understand and improve the health of the Tongva-Gabrielleno native soil in the Greater Los Angeles Basin, which is undergoing active restoration with the help of the Friends of Madrona Marsh Nature Preserve in Torrance, California. 

Our First GAIA Expedition!

On January 13, 2026, a team of GAIA Student Scientists joined us for our first 2026 GAIA Expedition to collect the initial soil samples from four different locations at the Madrona Marsh Preserve.

Learning Questions: What Do We Want To Learn?

1. How healthy is the soil at Madrona Marsh Nature Preserve?

2. How will soil health at Madrona Marsh Nature Preserve change over the next 10 years of restorative efforts? 

3. What type of restorative actions may help improve one specific soil health issue identified with the Ohuur Soil Lab Testing at Madrona Marsh Nature Preserve?

What other learning questions are you interested in? Please share in the survey below 

Summary of Modular Activities

Module 1: Review Soil Test Results 

Each year, the students are guided through available soil test results collected during our yearly GAIA Expeditions at Madrona Marsh Preserve. 

Soil testing will be conducted every January to track trends over 10 years (2026-2034). 

Module 2: Summary of Focused Research 

The students select one of the learning questions and submit a brief one-page summary of the information provided on coastal marshes, soil health, and restorative efforts. 

Advanced students may propose their own research question and include an additional literature review in their brief summary. 

Module 3: Result Analysis

Based on the information learned in Module 2, the students chart and briefly describe what the available soil test results show. 

Module 4: Conclusion

The students describe what their results analysis means and how it answers the learning question.

Module 5: Share a Brief Slide Report on Findings

Using Google Slides, the students prepare a slide presentation to report the soil test results, their focused research, the learning question. analysis of results, and conclusion.