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
Soil Science Society of America (SSSA) and Agronomic Science Foundation (ASF)
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
Soil Science Society of America (SSSA) and Agronomic Science Foundation (ASF)
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
Soil Science Society of America (SSSA) and Agronomic Science Foundation (ASF)
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
Soil Science Society of America (SSSA) and Agronomic Science Foundation (ASF)
Elements, Cont.Elements, Cont.
Educational Outreach Materials could be developed for K-16 educators, librarians
World Wide Web activities will carry educational activities indefinitely
Soil Science Society of America (SSSA) and Agronomic Science Foundation (ASF)
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
Soil Science Society of America (SSSA) and Agronomic Science Foundation (ASF)
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
Soil Science Society of America (SSSA) and Agronomic Science Foundation (ASF)
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
Soil Science Society of America (SSSA) and Agronomic Science Foundation (ASF)
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
Soil Science Society of America (SSSA) and Agronomic Science Foundation (ASF)
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
Soil Science Society of America (SSSA) and Agronomic Science Foundation (ASF)
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.
Soil Science Society of America (SSSA) and Agronomic Science Foundation (ASF)
FOR MORE INFO...
HH Cheng, Committee Chair, University of Minnesota
Valerie Breunig, ASF/SSSA (608-273-8090 x315)