Geology - The role of soil

While the vernal pools at Mather Field range from 50,000 to 200,000 years old, the soils under them began forming more than two million years ago. Dissolved minerals slowly moved down through the soil, eventually forming a hardpan layer. This hardpan lies a few inches to a few feet below the soil surface.

Sacramento Splash - Helping children understand and value their natural world picture
Meet Carol Witham, Botanist

Carol is a botanist, which means she studies plants.  Carol says, "Nature is a place to have fun and learn new things at the same time. Just pick a little spot and watch it for a while. Soon you will discover hundreds of little things going on in just that one little spot. Multiply that by thousands and thousands of little spots, and wow!"

Learn more about what it takes to be a botanist.
Sacramento Splash - Helping children understand and value their natural world picture
Science can be FUN!

100% of Splash teachers agree that their field trip to the vernal pools was both fun AND educational for their students.

If you're a fourth or fifth grade teacher, we can help make science fun for your students.

Learn more about the Splash Elementary Program.