Kia ora.

This is Soilsafe Kids.

Soilsafe Kids promotes education and outreach about soil for the younger people of our population.

We encourage kids to think about soil and its everyday relevance.

We’re also interested to hear what kids value about soil.

In 2021, we asked adults across Aotearoa about their soil values – how they care for it and what concerns they have for it. Now, it’s kids’ turn!

As kids make up more than 20% of Aotearoa’s population, it is really important to hear from kids to gain a better picture of all of our values.

PARTICIPATION IN OUR PROGRAMME

KIDS

SCHOOLS

EXPERIMENT & EXPLORE

Explore the resources below and experiment with soil at school or at home.

Compost In a Jar

When making compost in an outside compost bin or static pile, you can’t see what is going on easily. Let’s have a close up look at the process of decomposition by making compost in a jar.

learn more...

Soilsafe pH Test

Some plants like to grow in acidic soil while others prefer basic soil. Use this test to work out your soil’s pH.

learn more...

Earthworm Survey

Earthworms can be an indicator of soil health, where more worms usually means healthier soil. Use this exercise to test the abundance and diversity of worms in your soil.

learn more...

Organic Matter Colour Test

Soil organic matter contains water and nutrients needed to sustain life. Darker colours usually mean higher amounts of organic matter are present. Use this test to work out your soil’s organic matter content.

learn more...

Water Infiltration Exploration

Soil’s ability to hold nutrients and drain water depends on soil’s particle sizes and its pore spaces. Learn more about how you can test the soil you have for its ‘plasticity’.

learn more...

ASK-A-SOIL-EXPERT

Short videos for in-class teaching/learning
(check out the corresponding workbooks below!)

Ask an Expert Workbook

EnglishTe Reo Māori

Printer Friendly Workbook

EnglishTe Reo Māori

Workbook Answers

EnglishTe Reo Māori

Soilsafe Games

Soil-themed fun!

CROSSWORD PUZZLES

Puzzle #1
Puzzle #2

WORD SEARCHES

Puzzle #1Answers
Puzzle #2Answers

COLOURING SHEETS

Sheet #1Sheet #2
Sheet #3Sheet #4

Meet the team at Soilsafe Kids.

Dr Sophia Tsang

Dr Sophia Tsang

Sophia is a Community Engagement Specialist at GNS Science. Her work focuses on non-traditional outreach methods, bringing research into the pre-tertiary classroom, and learning about how lava flows affect cities. She loves to teach and mentor and has experience volunteering in preschools all the way through teaching post-graduates. If you have questions about Soilsafe Kids, she’d love to hear from you! Her email is s.tsang@gns.cri.nz

Dr Emma Sharp

Dr Emma Sharp

Emma is a Senior Lecturer in the School of Environment at the University of Auckland. Emma’s background is in geography, biology, environmental science, and Māori studies. Her research interests are in food politics, values (social, environmental and economic), and citizen engagement in science and the environment. In addition to co-leading Soilsafe Kids, Emma also co-leads Soilsafe Aotearoa. She loves spending time outside with her kids who love the garden.
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Dr Victoria Egli

Dr Victoria Egli

Victoria is a Research Fellow in the University of Auckland’s School of Nursing. Her research focuses on kids, specifically children’s neighbourhood built environments; how things like where kids live, play, and go to school impacts on their health and wellbeing. Victoria loves spending time outside going for walks, looking after her garden, or playing with her sheep.

Dr Melanie Kah

Dr Melanie Kah

Melanie trained in Soil Science and Agronomy. Her research looks at the occurrence and fate of contaminants in the environment. She is particularly interested in understanding the chemistry side of things, how different contaminants behave in different environment and whether this can be related to what people are exposed to. Melanie is a keen gardener… but not a very good one.

Meet the Alumni

We’ve had the pleasure of working with many fantastic Alumni from a variety of academic and career pathways.
Lianne Edwards-Maas

Lianne Edwards-Maas

Lianne is a recent graduate from the University of Auckland, with plans to start a Bachelor of Science (Hons) in Geography at the beginning of 2023. She has obtained a Bachelor of Science in Geography and a Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology and Ancient History. Outside of her studies she volunteers a student mentor and enjoys taking part in tree planting initiatives.
Laura MacDonald

Laura MacDonald

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Laura (she/her) is a PhD student in Geology at the University of Auckland. Laura loves visiting her family and pets on their sheep farm in Southland, spending time with friends, eating good kai, and tending to her ever-growing jungle of house and office plants.
Donna Huang

Donna Huang

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Donna (she/her) is completing her studies in Medicine and Surgery at the University of Auckland. Her research interests are in population health, particularly for children. Donna enjoys going on hikes and growing indoor pot plants.
Bridget Crawshaw-McLean

Bridget Crawshaw-McLean

Bridget is currently completing her Masters in Dietetics and Nutrition with the University of Auckland. She has obtained a Bachelors of Science in Human Nutrition and Bachelor of Education in Primary Teaching. In her spare time, Bridget enjoys cooking, reading recipe books cover to cover, some light gardening and being in nature.

PARTNERS

Thank you to the friends and supporters of Soilsafe Kids.