Forces of Change

Dig It! The Secrets of Soil

Come and Explore!

Discover the amazing world of soils with images and information from the Dig It! The Secrets of Soil exhibit from the Smithsonian's National Museum of Natural History. This exhibit was on display at the Museum from July 18, 2008, through Jan 10, 2010.

Watch the new curator-led tour of the exhibit to join the Dig It! experience and get inspired by soils!

While the physical exhibition is now closed, the exhibition content will be available on this web site indefinitely and new web content will be added over the coming months including a new soil blog.

New Interactives Online:

Hidden Horizons Puzzle Game >>
Soil Order Explorer >>
Soil Mineral Interactive >>
Where in the World Game>>
Underneath It All Explorer >>
State Soil Interactive >>
Big Picture Game >>

New Videos Online:

Chef's Challenge >>
Soil: The Secret Ingredient >>
Get Soil Savvy! >>
Matters of Life and Death >>

Educational Materials:

Online Activities, bookmarks, and interactives
To order printed materials and CDs email us

Meet Soil Explorer - Dennis Whigham

Orchid Ecologist, Smithsonian Environmental Research Center

Dennis Whigham

Dennis is an orchid ecologist at the Smithsonian Environmental Research Center (SERC). He studies the many fascinating ways that orchids interact with soils and soil microbes.

Click here to meet Dennis Whigham >>

Click here to meet other Soil Explorers >>

Featured Topics

Explore the 12 Soil Orders

Soil Orders

Travel around the world and explore the 12 soil orders and the landscapes they support.

Soil Minerals Interactive

Minerals Make a Difference

Can you tell what is parent rock, rotten rock, and soil? Test your knowledge!

Underneath it All

Underneath It All

Dig deep and discover the ways our choices and lifestyles effect soils.

Where in the World?

Where in the Soil World Are You?

Play this question and answer game and test your knowledge of exotic soils from around the world.

State Soil Interactive

State Soil Monoliths

Pack your bags! Join us on a tour of the United States soils.

The Big Picture Game

The Big Picture

How well do you know the world beneath your feet? Take our Soil Quiz and find out!

The Chef's Challenge Video

Chef's Challenge Video

Two top chefs compete to create the best soil recipe from the same secret ingredient.

The Secret Ingredient Video

Soil is the Secret Ingredient

Medicines, food, fibers, & more . . . celebrate the gifts & pleasures derived from soil.

Get Soil Savvy!

Get Soil Savvy!

Explore the importance of good soil management practices to global climate and human health.