Are you a farmer that wants to be able to quick check the life in your own soil? Are you a gardener on the nerd track? Does microscopic soil science thrill you but you have no idea where to start? This class is for you.
January 16 (virtual) 12:00pm - 01:30pm ET: Meet Your Microscope - How your microscope works, how to focus a slide, how to prepare a sample, troubleshooting and cleaning.
January 23 (virtual) 12:00pm - 01:30pm ET: Identifying Key Organisms in the Soil Food Web
January 30 (virtual) 12:00pm - 01:30pm ET: Evaluating a Sample
Date / Time of your choosing (virtual or in person): One hour private 1:1 with Alter Eco Soil Solutions to learn to practice your skills.
Class fee includes a 1 quart living soil sample that you can use to practice identification., shipped to you directly.
This is a basic class to get your toes wet and allow you to assess your own samples at home. This class will not teach you how to become an independent lab tech, that’s going to take a bit more time. If you’re interested in becoming a lab tech we suggest you check out Dr. Elaine Ingham’s Soil Food Web School.
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You do not need a microscope to enroll in this class. However, having your own microscope will allow you to get more hands-on practice and make the most of the experience. We recommend a trinocular shadow microscope with 4x, 10x, and 40x objectives. We also HIGHLY recommend investing in a camera that connects your microscope to your computer. Being able to view and capture what you're seeing on a larger screen makes learning microscopy much easier!
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We'll provide a list of recommended lab tools totaling less than $50 (microscope not included). Purchasing these tools is entirely optional, but they can be helpful for practicing and getting the most out of your learning experience.
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No, this class is for all levels. You need only be interested in soil science to take the class.
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After completing your third class, we'll send all participants a link to schedule their 1:1 session. You can choose a time that works for you, allowing you to decide how much time you'd like to spend practicing before your session.
If you're able to travel to Chattanooga, TN, you're welcome to complete your 1:1 session in the Alter Eco lab. If you're joining us remotely, we HIGHLY recommend having a microscope camera so we can connect over Zoom and view what you're seeing through your microscope in real time. This makes it possible for us to work through samples together, wherever you are!
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Our goal is to equip you with the skills to evaluate your own soil samples long after you leave this class. You won't be learning to perform quantitative biological soil analysis, but rather qualitative analysis that helps you observe, understand, and track changes in your soil over time. Soil microscopy is a skill that develops with practice, so don't be discouraged if you need more time behind the microscope after the course. The more you practice, the more confident you'll become!