Getting Started

Ready to join the Soil Science Lab? Follow the steps below to sign up, collect a soil sample, observe microscopic life, and contribute your observations to our growing community science database.

#1. New Participant Sign Up

Students, educators, families, and community scientists are welcome to participate. After signing up, you will receive information about how to contribute observations while helping protect personal information.

#2. Collect Data

Follow our tutorial to collect a soil sample, record environmental observations, and look for nematodes or other microscopic soil organisms.

#3. Contribute to Our Community Database

Once you have recorded your observations, use the submission instructions provided after signing up. Include your participant information, soil sample details, location data when appropriate, and any images or notes from your observations.

If you run into any issues, please contact us at [email protected].

#4. Explore and Analyze Data

As the project grows, participants will be able to explore shared observations and use the data to ask questions about soil health, biodiversity, nematodes, climate resilience, and environmental change.