Educational exhibition

“Beneath the Surface: The Secret Life of Soil” at the Science Club Belgrade, Serbia

The exhibition Beneath the Surface: The Secret Life of Soil revealed the hidden world beneath our feet and highlights the importance of preserving healthy and fertile soil for resilient future.

Developed through the efforts of project LOESS by the Centre for the Promotion of Science, this exhibition welcomed visitors of all ages to explore the universe below our feet from March 20th to April 23rd 2026 at the Science Club Belgrade, Serbia.

Soil is not just the ground we walk on, it is a living and dynamic ecosystem where processes essential for life on Earth take place. While its formation takes thousands of years, changes and degradation can occur surprisingly quickly. The exhibition emphasised the importance of understanding and protecting soil, highlighting its role in providing healthy food, clean water, and environmental stability.

The accompanying programme included educational workshops, public lectures, discussions and documentary screenings. Workshops for primary and secondary schoolchildren explored how we can ensure that our soil remains healthy, fertile, and resilient. In the span of a month, more than 1,350 schoolchildren experienced soil in a practical way, learning from their peers and experts about the importance of researching, caring for, and protecting soil. More than 1,000 people of all ages visited the exhibition.

The initiative received a Green Leaf Award in Serbia, handed out annually by Radio Belgrade 2 and the Vojvodina Environmental Movement, which recognises local individuals, companies, and organisations championing environmental protection.

The exhibition was organised within the framework of the European project LOESS (Literacy Boost through an Operational Educational Ecosystem of Societal Actors on Soil Health), which aims to improve education on soil health by developing educational programmes and resources across Europe. LOESS is funded by the EU programme Horizon Europe, under grant agreement number 101112707.

Photos from the exhibition are available on Flickr: flickr.com/photos/cpnsrbija/albums/72177720332689427