Education

Soil in the Scottish curriculum

The world beneath our feet - Connecting soils and curriculum was developed by the soil community in Scotland to celebrate the 2015 International Year of Soils. It provides a series of soil-based activities designed to add value across the Curriculum for Excellence.

These activities have been grouped into three sections according to curricular level, namely:

• Early and First Level activities
• Second Level activities
• Third and Fourth Level activities

A range of educational resources can be linked to directly from the document. You can find examples at:

• Soils@hutton - information and education
• Explore the Soils of the Crofts
• The living field
• Meet the dirt doctor
• BSSS - Education

Other educational resources

Peatland learning module

A peatland learning module has been designed to help explain what peatlands are, how they are managed, what impacts they can have on the wider environment and the benefits of peatland restoration. It was developed to support NatureScot's Peatland Action Programme.

Making the case for soil

SEPA's Making the Case for the Environment series demonstrates the benefits of taking action to protect our natural environment. It explores the impacts on air, water and soil in Scotland, and shows how actions to improve the environment can lead to wider benefits for our communities.

Making the case for soil takes a closer look at soil as an essential natural resource and its huge importance to the entire planet, as well as SEPA's role in helping to protect it for future generations.

You can take a light-heated look at the fascinating lives of earthworms through their imaginary social media exchanges. 

There is also a series of videos explaining why soils matter to a variety of people.

Learning in local greenspace

Learning in local greenspace is a partnership project with the aim to get pupils learning in the outdoors regularly and often by 2020. You can find out more at NatureScot's Learning in local greenspace webpage.

Higher education

Soil science forms part of many undergraduate and postgraduate degrees in the Scottish higher education sector. However, it is mostly taught as a module within a wider science topic such as environmental science, earth science, agriculture and geography.

There is also a vibrant soil research community in Scotland. There are soil scientists can in many of our universities (for example Aberdeen, Edinburgh and Stirling) as well as in a range of specialist research institutes (for example the James Hutton Institute and Scotland’s Rural College).