Silver Oaks Gets Their Hands Dirty With Soil Project

With the help of an animated character named Claude, conservationists and teachers throughout the US are teaching children that an amazing and fascinating world of soil lies beneath our feet.

Originally a dirt clod character from the soil scientists at the USDA National Resource Conservation Service, the clod was brought to Silver Oaks in search of a makeover to appeal to children. After kicking around a little dirt, Silver Oaks transformed the clod into “Claude.”

Working with the theme, “Soil: It does more than get you dirty,” our designers then created a personality for Claude, illustrated and animated him, and then made Claude the central character in an elaborate interactive touchscreen program. Claude takes kids beneath the ground to see how soil is made and how it affects life above ground.

Silver Oaks also designed a corresponding custom exhibit to house the game. Over 10 feet tall and encompassing a 42" touchscreen monitor, the kiosk presents a series of discovery doors illustrating the differences in soil types, a soil horizon showing the different layers of soil, the “Recipe for Soil,” and actual soil elements. Located at Chicago’s Lincoln Park Zoo, the display is installed in the Main Barn Exhibit.

After his Chicago debut, Claude quickly became a hit across the state of Illinois. Just this past summer, the Illinois Department of Agriculture requested a “Scoop on Soil” interpretive for their Watershed Park, located at the Illinois State Fairgrounds in Springfield. An outdoor exhibit that explains the different aspects of watershed management, Watershed Park seemed a natural home for Claude. Silver Oaks created a unique outdoor kiosk for this environment that housed a 37" touchscreen monitor, as well as many of the items featured in the USDA display.

Literally, it all began with a clod of dirt. Now Claude is part of a nationwide soil conservation campaign. Claude has helped change the way conservationists are educating kids about soil. He’s made the science of soil fun for kids. In fact, the USDA-NRCS Illinois State Office created a CD that includes “The Scoop on Soil” game and other learning materials covering soil conservation, in which Claude is the spokesperson. For more information, visit the Scoop On Soil online.