Smithsonian Soils Exhibit Project Overview

Soil Science Society of America (SSSA) and Agronomic Science Foundation (ASF)

Smithsonian Soils Exhibit Smithsonian Soils Exhibit Project OverviewProject Overview

National Museum of Natural History

Washington, DC

Opening Planned 2006


Project GoalsProject Goals

Include Soil Science in Smithsonian Institution’s earth system science project, “Global Links”

Become a springboard for broad soil science educational activities

Raise awareness, visibility of soil science


ElementsElements

Museum exhibit (would be seen by 6-9 million visitors annually) – State soil monoliths (quasi-permanent)

– Interactive educational section (4-5 years expected)

– Topics might include: Soil as Life, Ecology, Food from the Soil, Medicine from the Soil, Careers


Elements, Cont.Elements, Cont.

Exhibit to be Loaned - After closing at the Smithsonian,

exhibits are loaned to other museums. May have 4-7 years additional usage around the country


Elements, Cont.Elements, Cont.

Educational Outreach Materials could be developed for K-16 educators, librarians

World Wide Web activities will carry educational activities indefinitely


CollaboratorsCollaborators

Ten soil scientists formed a coordinating committee supported by the Soil Science Society of America (SSSA)

H.H. Cheng, University of Minnesota, Committee Chair

Patrick Drohan, Shephard College Richard Arnold, USDA-NRCS

Stan Buol, North Carolina State University Richard Cline, USDA Forest Service Research

Del Fanning, University of Maryland Elissa Levine, NASA/Goddard Space Flight Cntr

Gary Petersen, the Pennsylvania State Univ Dan Walters, University of Nebraska

Jim Ware, USDA NRCS Karl Glasener, ASA-CSSA-SSSA


Collaborators, Cont.Collaborators, Cont.

Soil scientists and natural resource communicators are collaborating with Smithsonian Institution staff on exhibit development

State liaisons are working in 20 states currently to help identify cooperators, potential funders


What You Can DoWhat You Can Do

Share: Send consumer educational materials to SSSA, where a master list is being compiled

Volunteer: State liaisons are needed in several states to be a communications link


What You Can Do, ContWhat You Can Do, Cont

Stay informed: Subscribe to list serve by e-mailing SUBSRIBE in message body to [email protected]

Watch www.soils.org and CSA News (SSSA member newsletter) for updates


What You Can Do, ContWhat You Can Do, Cont Make a gift/suggest others:

– $10,000 state monolith sponsors offered to state soil associations. Suggest coalitions with state corporations, individuals, organizations – joint recognition on monolith

– Campaign underway via Agronomic Science Foundation, 501 (c)(3), to fund $1-3 million needed for exhibit development; please suggest potential donors

Gifts can be spread over three years;

$10,000 plus gifts recognized with museum signage


Time LineTime Line

To open before July 2006, International Union of Soil Science World Congress

2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006

Project Planning/FundraisingProject Planning/Fundraising

Education Mat’l DevelopEducation Mat’l Develop

Exhibit BuildingExhibit Building

Soil Science VisibilitySoil Science Visibility

Help make soil science part of the earth system science story.

Unique opportunity to have a partner, the Smithsonian Institution, tell this story to 6-9 million annual visitors, plus those reached through educational materials.


FOR MORE INFO...

HH Cheng, Committee Chair, University of Minnesota

Valerie Breunig, ASF/SSSA (608-273-8090 x315)

Smithsonian Soils Exhibit Project Overview

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