Earth Around Us Tent Program Inspires Next Generation of Scientists

Educator Sarah Wisecarver introduces Hampstead Central School students to water data in the Earth Around Us tent.

Youth throughout New Hampshire and surrounding states are engaging in a unique learning experience combining math, science, and reading: They are learning about soil and water ecosystems through the Earth Around Us tent program. Since 2021, the tents have reached more than 16,000 youth and families at 90 visits to K–12 schools and public events. The program is run by the New Hampshire GLOBE Partnership based at UNH’s Leitzel Center.

Vibrant murals printed on cloth form the walls of the pop-up tents; panels on the soil tent illustrate three different soil ecosystems found in New Hampshire, and each water tent panel represents a water ecosystem during a season. The tent is often used by classroom educators but can also be found at camps and outdoor STEM and environmental events. 

Through the soil tent programming, youth (and families) learn to use tools like shovels and soil augers to dig into the ground around their schools and camps. They observe the different colors of the soils, create a soil profile of the location, and identify anything they find, like insects and roots. 

Using the tools and activities provided with the water tent, youth explore a local waterbody, measuring the temperature and water transparency and observing aquatic insects, crustaceans, and snails. 

UNH Researchers Inspire Budding Scientists

Joy O’Brien’22G and Nate Blais ’22G took the soil tent to Moharimet Elementary School in Madbury. 

UNH faculty, graduate students, and Extension docents have also participated in tent programming, providing science expertise for classroom educators and learners, sharing their knowledge, and inspiring young students to get interested in science careers. Recently, Joy O’Brien ’22G and Nate Blais ’22G took the soil tent to Moharimet Elementary School in Madbury, New Hampshire. “It's so exciting to listen to the students interpret the images on the tent,” says O’Brien, acknowledging she learns as much from the students as they do from her. “As a graduate student, it is very important to me that we educate young minds on the importance of soil and hopefully inspire some future soil scientists."

“The soil tent experience provided our fourth graders with a window into what is going on below the ground,” says Ellen Ervin, a science specialist at Moharimet. “This was a powerful experience for our students because they got to work outside in the forest alongside soil scientists who were able to encourage them to be curious and to notice, wonder, and learn about the soils right on their school grounds.”

“Over the years, this resource has been invaluable, offering our students hands-on experiences and unique opportunities to engage with science in a real-world context,” writes another educator. “The program is consistently engaging, fostering opportunities for our students to collaborate, communicate their findings, and develop essential teamwork skills.”

A Big Tent Across New Hampshire

The tent program has gained in popularity over the years so that a second set of each tent kit was added to the rotation. Educators and community organizations borrow the tents throughout spring, summer, and fall, and often multiple tents are in use at one time. Program leaders are expanding the program to reach all corners of New Hampshire.

“We’re excited to be talking to partners to set up ‘tent loaning hubs’ to reach educators, camps, and other organizations across the state,” says NH GLOBE Partnership project director Jennifer Bourgeault ’93, ’99G. 

The Earth Around Us tent program is funded by grants from the New Hampshire Charitable Foundation and NASA Science Activation #NNX16AC54A.