The Cornell Cooperative Extension of Monroe County (CCE-Monroe) 4-H Program has been awarded a grant by the Genesee Finger Lakes Chapter of the Air & Waste Management Association (GFLAWMA) in honor of Earth Day 2020. The purpose of the Earth Day Grant is to increase environmental education through projects that promote environmental awareness and consciousness, and the development of technical knowledge and skills, and sustainable environmental practices. The grant program is open to educational institutions and not-for-profit organizations in the New York State counties of Monroe, Wayne, Ontario, Livingston, Orleans, Genesee, Wyoming, Steuben, Seneca, Schuyler, Yates, and Allegany.
The Monroe County 4-H team will be kicking off a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) and art-filled project called “Soil Superpowers” to share the importance of soil. This project centers on the activity of soil painting. Through art, youth will also be exposed to STEM concepts and the natural world around them.
The “Soil Superpowers” project has debuted at 4-H Programs this summer. The project will be delivered to schools beginning in the fall of 2020. Through connections with schools across the county, many students will learn to appreciate agriculture and natural resources. Soil-based lessons will accompany the art experience.
The project will connect Monroe County youth to the outdoors and show that soil is an important natural resource. Soil holds a plethora of microorganisms, creating small ecosystems and contributing to biodiversity. Soil acts as a water filter and a growing medium. The project helps develop map-reading skills and the understanding of different soil types. It is offered to all grade levels, and the lesson will be modified to be age-appropriate.
The “Soil Superpowers” project seeks to increase environmental awareness and consciousness because youth will learn that soil is a non-renewable resource and that natural resources can be preserved to create a more sustainable environment. Students will recognize natural resources that help plants flourish, supporting agriculture. They will also obtain information on ways individual communities use science concepts to protect the natural environment. The connection between plants and animals, and their dependence on soil and other natural resources, including water, sun, and air, will be shown.
Another goal of “Soil Superpowers” is to increase technical knowledge, skills, and sustainable environmental practices. Monroe County youth will learn to identify different types of soils, understand the processes involved in the formation of soils, and observe the basic components of soil. They will also be taught to read soil surveys and maps regarding soil types, and to analyze and interpret data from maps.
The Monroe County 4-H Program team first experienced soil painting through a workshop with professionals from Cornell Cooperative Extension and Cornell University. Through easy techniques and interesting concepts, the team learned to show youth how to look at soils from a different perspective to help them distinguish different soil types and investigate soil properties while stimulating their creativity. The team is very excited to have received this GFLAWMA grant so that they may energize youth to consider how soil affects everyday life through agriculture, plant science, and art.
On Monday, September 21, at 6 p.m., Monroe County 4-H will be offering a virtual soil painting workshop for families. Check out the event page (http://monroe.cce.cornell.edu/events/2020/09/21/4-h-mighty-monday-painting-with-soil) for more information.
Learn more about 4-H at http://monroe.cce.cornell.edu/4-h-youth-development.
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