current
past
Our team at McGill created an environmental education summer camp, where I created and led a soils class designed to engage children in hands-on learning and experimentation.
The class began with an introduction to the key soil-forming factors: parent material, climate, biota (organisms), topography, and time. To bring these concepts to life, we conducted an experiment while hiking up a mountain, hypothesizing that the soil would change with elevation. As we climbed, students collected different plants and taped them into their notebooks, using the types of plants as indicators of soil variation. By the end of the hike, our hypothesis was confirmed: soil does change with elevation. Through this experiment, students learned not only about soil-forming factors and the relationship between soil and plants but also gained experience in conducting scientific investigations. Additionally, I took the opportunity to discuss the broader impact of soil health on plants and our well-being, emphasizing the importance of sustainable soil treatment. It was a beautiful, enriching experience for all involved.
We also painted a mural with our students at the school where the classes were held, collaborating with an Art Collective from the Mixtec region to bring a creative and cultural dimension to our environmental education.
Location: Santo Tomas, Oaxaca, México
Years: 2017, 2018