Demo Den: Ready-to-go activities for K-12 audiences and beyond!

Expanded K-12 outreach is one of the desired outcomes in the “workforce development” component of the SSSA and ASA Strategic Plans. Most people are out of touch with nature, do not know where their food comes from, and are unaware of our sciences. Few teachers have any knowledge of soils or agronomy. The future of our disciplines hinges on our ability to capture the imagination of students early to inspire them to pursue careers in soil science, agronomy and crop science and to educate the general public about the importance of our sciences to food security. 

At CANVAS in Portland this November, there will be a hybrid session in the exhibit hall, called the Demo Den, which will include posters detailing proven demonstrations and activities that can be taken to schools, agriculture days, producer groups, and urban audiences to demonstrate important soil, agronomic, and crop science concepts. Often these activities have been adapted from demonstrations and labs used in university courses. The highlight of the session will be actual demonstrations from 4 pm to 6 pm when the poster authors are present. 

If you have such an activity, please consider sharing it with your colleagues. Contact Clay Robinson to submit your abstract: [email protected] (send message).

The Demo Den is sponsored by the SSSA Soil Education and Outreach Division and ASA Education and Extension Section.