The Disappearing Earth tackles the priority one problem of soil--erosion. The Disappearing Earth weaves science into a storyline. In the story Napoleon Soil and Jane Blonde work for the top-secret, underground spy organization known as E.A.R.T.H. or Espionage Agents with Really Terrific Hair. Their mission is to find out why our soil is disappearing, but leave it to Napoleon and Jane to make this mission an impossible one. By the end of this project experience, students will understand the soil erosion process and ways to control it.

The Disappearing Earth Science Kit includes a Mission Possible Teacher's Guide, 30 copies of the student accompanying student booklet, Secret Agent Worm stickers, bookmarks, a poster, and student activity sheets. The kit is available on a loan basis. Loan periods are flexible.

All interested classrooms in a particular school building are asked to coordinate their schedules and share the kit. Contact the Extension office to make your kit reservations.

Teachers are responsible for kit transportation to and from the Extension office.

Illinois State Goals & Learning Standards:

07B. Estimate measurements to determine acceptable levels of accuracy

10A. Organize, describe and make predictions from existing data

10B. Formulate questions, design data collection methods, gather and analyze data and communicate findings

11A. Know and apply the concepts, principles and processes of scientific inquiry

11B. Know and apply the concepts, principles and processes of technological design

12B. Know and apply concepts that describe how living things interact with each other and with their environment

12D. Know and apply concepts that describe force and motion and the principles that explain them

12E. Know and apply concepts that describe the features and processes of the earth and its resources

13A. Know and apply the accepted practices of sciences

13B. Know and apply concepts that describe the interaction between science, technology, and society