Soil Science Workshop

Workshop Description

The Soil Science Workshop (SSW) aims to enhance participants’ understanding of soil science and its application within educational curricula. The workshop offers a comprehensive learning experience with presentations from leading soil scientists, interactive sessions with educators, and a full-day field excursion. In 2026, the workshop included an additional focus on geoheritage and soil applications in stormwater management, including rain gardens and school-based green infrastructure projects.

Contact outreach@americangeosciences.org with any questions.

2026 SSW - West Lafayette, Indiana

Teachers from Indiana and across the country gathered at Purdue University in West Lafayette, Indiana, for the Soil Science Workshop for Science Educators. Throughout the workshop, participants engaged in hands-on soil investigations, explored Purdue’s student farm during a field excursion, and learned how soils influence stormwater management through an interactive visit to the university’s rain garden. Along the way, teachers worked with soil scientists, science education professionals, and stormwater experts, gaining practical knowledge and classroom-ready strategies.  

 

2025 SSW - Corvallis, Oregon

Teachers from across the country gathered in Corvallis, OR for the Soil Science Workshop for science educators. During the workshop, attendees participated in hands-on soil labs and participated in a field excursion at sites around Corvallis. Throughout the workshop, the teachers interacted with soil scientists, gaining valuable insights and practical knowledge related to soil science.  

 

Teacher Reviews of the 2025 SSW

• The best professional development experience of my career! Learning about soil science by working with, talking to and learning from experts in the classroom and out in the field was invaluable. I look at landscapes and soil with a fresh perspective.

• The soil science workshop was engaging, relevant, and inspiring. The classroom labs helped me feel prepared and excited to try these activities with my own students, and the fieldwork—especially exploring soil pits with expert guidance—deepened my understanding of how soil science is applied. I’m leaving with greater confidence in teaching soil science, new ideas for bringing geoscience careers into the classroom, and a stronger foundation in field techniques and resources.

2024 SSW - Platteville, Wisconsin

Teachers from across the country gathered in Platteville, WI for the Soil Science Workshop for science educators. During the workshop, attendees engaged in conference presentations, participated in hands-on soil labs, visited field sites, and interacted with soil scientists, gaining valuable insights and practical knowledge in soil science.

 

 

Teacher Reviews of the 2024 SSW

• Participating in the 2024 North Central Regional NCSS Conference as a high school teacher has ignited my interest in soil science! Working closely with a professor in the lab and professionals in the field was rejuvenating, as I acquired a great deal of new knowledge and passion. I will be bringing pertinent content, experiential methodology, and contagious excitement back to my classroom this fall. The collaboration between teachers and professionals is brilliant and benefits both parties; the enthusiasm that we teachers bring back to our classrooms will surely inspire the soil scientists of future generations. Excellent conference for educators!!

• This conference was the best way that I have found to collaborate with actual scientists working in the field. It gave me a chance to learn incredible curriculum while also observing experts in the field of soil science as they presented their research and discussed how they use science practices in their careers.