On Friday, December 5, Anson Park Public School joined schools around the world in celebrating World Soil Day, an international day dedicated to raising awareness about the essential role soil plays in sustaining life on Earth. With over 95% of our food coming from soil, healthy soils are crucial for agriculture, biodiversity, clean water and climate regulation. This year’s global theme, “Healthy Soils for Healthy Cities,” highlights the importance of soil even in urban environments.
At Anson Park, students took learning outdoors to explore the wonders beneath their feet. Mr. O'Gorman's Grade 2/3 class and Mrs. Little-Penava's Grade 3 class went on a nature walk through the schoolyard and surrounding neighbourhood, using soil sampling tools to collect samples from different habitats. Students observed and recorded soil characteristics, including colour, texture and particle size.
Next, students used a multi-layered soil sifter to separate the samples into increasingly finer particles. This hands-on activity gave them a firsthand understanding of the diversity of soils and set the stage for their next investigation: exploring how water moves through and is absorbed by different soil types
While waiting for their turn with the soil samples, students expressed their creativity by sketching scenes from nature, combining science with art in a fun and engaging way.
The day was an exciting opportunity for students to connect with nature, explore scientific concepts and gain a deeper appreciation for the vital role of soil in our daily lives.