Dirty Hands = an Active Mind!.

Soils are the integrator of the natural world! From molecular interactions through the global flux of Water and CO2, soils are critical to all life on earth. This is a truth soil scientists hold dear but it’s not a common idea held by the masses. What is the role of introductory soils classes in bridging this gap and making soils important to all? It's clear - training the next generations to spread the love of soils! This isn't always easy since soils are mainly out of sight (= out of mind) and the ecosystem services they provide are often hard to observe/conceptualize. Early (and often) student field experience provide the context to bridge conceptual and emprical while demonstrating soils as the living engine of civilization. This presentation will outline evolving techniques to get students hands dirty and engaged in a topic that will change their lives.