Make like a mole and dig into Dirt Camp!

In Dirt Camp, young learners collaborate, reflect and problem-solve their way through a hands-on exploration of the origins and make-up of dirt. Build like a beaver. Tunnel like an ant. Burrow like a crayfish. Experience how techniques from animal, insect, plant and even fungi friends help humans to construct and cultivate. Delve into the differences between dirt and soil and apply this loamy lore to design an ideal farm. Through a multi-subject integration approach, learners will delight in rolling up their sleeves to experiment, engineer and excavate.

Grades: 1-3
Students: Up to 30
Contact Hours: 12+

 
Subject Targets:
Earth Science, Life Science, Physical Science, Engineering Design, Math, English Language Arts

Recommended Settings:
Summer Camps
Classrooms
Before & After-School Programs
Each Activity Includes:
Schedule
Materials List
Topic Background Information
Step-By-Step Directions
Optional Extension Activities
Curriculum Topics:
Properties of Dirt
Mudshakes and Dirt Art
Weathering
Soil Erosion
pH Testing of Soil for Farming
Animal Soil Engineers Above and Below Ground
Bug Hunt: Tunnelers, Decomposers and Hunters
The Wood Wide Web and Fungi
Malian Mudcloths
Engineering with Dirt
Build an Adobe Farm

Reusability and Expansion:

• Refill Kit Available: This product offers affordable refill kits. See the materials tab for details.

Components

Dirt Camp comes with all the supplies needed for 30 students to complete 12 one-hour activities:

• Instructor Guide: 1
• Printed Student Journals: 31
• Burrowing Animal Cut-Outs: 31
• Bug Guides: 6
• Sheet of Labels: 1
• Curriculum Digital Download: 1
• Large Storage Tub: 1
• Small Storage Tub: 1
• Hard Plastic Containers (6 quart): 6
• #2 Pencils (12 pk): 3
• Baking Soda (8 oz box): 1
• Blank Paper (8 1/2" x 11", 500 sheets): 1
• Clay (8 lb bucket): 1
• Children's Scissors: 5
• Colored Pencils (12 pk): 5
• Deli Containers with Lids (16 oz, 50 pk): 1
• Food Coloring (4 color pack): 1
• Garden Lime (6.75 lb): 1
• Ice Cube Trays: 10
• Lava Rock (10 cups): 1
• Magnifying Glasses: 10
• Markers (8 pk): 1
• Masking Tape Roll: 1
• Measuring Cup: 1
• Paintbrushes (30 pk): 1
• Paper Cups (4 oz): 20
• Paper Plates: 100
• Paper Towel Roll: 1
• Pea Gravel (10 cups): 1
• Pencil Sharpeners: 6
• PH Strips (200 pk): 1
• Pipettes: 50
• Pitchers: 5
• Popsicle Sticks (1000 pk): 1
• Rulers: 5
• Silt (32 oz): 1
• Skittles (2.17 oz): 1
• Sphagnum Peat Moss (10 quarts): 1
• Spoons: 50
• Straws: 250
• Sugar Cubes (1 lb): 1
• Table Covers: 6
• Toilet Paper Roll: 1
• Topsoil (18 quarts): 1
• Vinegar (1 quart): 1
• White Liquid Glue (4 oz): 7
• Ziploc Bags (1 gallon): 5

Note: Educators will need to purchase 20 lbs of sand separately.

Curriculum Printed Copy Includes:

• Instructor Guide: 1
• Printed Student Journals: 31
• Burrowing Animal Cut-Outs: 31
• Bug Guide: 6
• Sheet of Labels: 1

Curriculum Digital Download Includes:

Instructor Guide only, which includes master copies of all student pages.

Refill Kit Available:

Looking to use your Dirt Camp program with the next group of soil specialists? This refill kit will get them up and running in no time!

• #2 Pencils (12 pk): 3
• Baking Soda (8 oz box): 1
• Blank Paper (8 1/2" x 11", 500 sheets): 1
• Clay (8 lb bucket): 1
• Colored Pencils (12 pk): 5
• Deli Containers (16 oz, 50 pk): 1
• Deli Container Lids (50 pk): 1
• Food Coloring (4 color pack): 1
• Garden Lime (6.75 lb): 1
• Lava Rock (10 cups): 1
• Markers (8 pk): 1
• Masking Tape Roll: 1
• Paper Cups (4 oz): 20
• Paper Plates: 100
• Paper Towel Roll: 1
• Pea Gravel (10 cups): 1
• PH Strips (200 pk): 1
• Pipettes: 50
• Popsicle Sticks (1000 pk): 1
• Silt (32 oz): 1
• Skittles (2.17 oz): 1
• Sphagnum Peat Moss (10 quarts): 1
• Spoons: 50
• Straws: 250
• Sugar Cubes (1 lb): 1
• Table Covers: 6
• Toilet Paper Roll: 1
• Topsoil (18 quarts): 1
• Vinegar (1 quart): 1
• White Liquid Glue (4 oz): 7
• Ziploc Bags (1 gallon): 5