From soil monoliths to interactive stories: the World Soil Museum launches a new digital experience

Developed within the EU-funded CURIOSOIL project, the new Web-App combines 3D exploration, augmented reality and storytelling to make the world of soils accessible to visitors and learners worldwide

Wageningen, September 2026 – How can we make the hidden world beneath our feet easier to explore, understand and appreciate? An interactive Web-App at the ISRIC World Soil Museum in Wageningen is offering a new answer. Developed as part of the European Union-funded CURIOSOIL project, the app brings the museum’s unique collection of soil monoliths to life through interactive 3D models, augmented reality, storytelling and multimedia content.

The app experience is designed for a wide range of audiences – from children and teenagers to adults, educators and academics – and can be used both inside the museum and remotely from anywhere in the world.

Exploring soil through stories and senses

The app puts storytelling at the centre of the learning experience. Younger audiences can discover soil diversity and processes through stories set in landscapes ranging from deserts and forests to mountains, wetlands, and agricultural environments. For adult audiences, thematic explorations delve deeper into subjects including soil formation, fertility, erosion, land degradation, and the cultural relationships between people and soil.

The experience also reaches beyond what can be seen. Illustrations, photographs, videos, animations, and soil soundscapes create a multi-sensory environment designed to make the complexity of soil systems more tangible and engaging.

Turning soil into an interactive experience

Visitors exploring the app remotely can manipulate and rotate high-resolution 3D soil monoliths, investigate different soil layers and discover interactive points containing explanations, stories, images, videos, and other multimedia content. Inside the museum, the experience takes on another dimension: visitors can use augmented reality (AR) to scan physical soil monoliths and reveal digital layers of information directly on the exhibits.

Visitors can explore the museum independently, while teachers, students and curious learners around the world can access the collection remotely and use it as an educational resource.

Key features at a glance

1. Interactive 3D soil monoliths allowing users to rotate and explore soil profiles from anywhere

2. Augmented reality connecting digital content with physical museum exhibits

3. Multilingual support making the experience accessible to an international audience

4. Story-based learning tailored to different ages and levels of knowledge

5. Multimedia content, including photographs, illustrations, videos, animations and soil soundscapes

6. Educational applications for classrooms, independent learning and remote exploration

7. A hybrid museum experience combining physical collections with digital interpretati

About CURIOSOIL

CURIOSOIL (Awakening Soil Curiosity to Catalyse Soil Literacy) is a four-year, EU-funded project focused on enhancing soil education. Led by Universidade de Aveiro, the project addresses the critical need for a better understanding of soil amid increasing human pressures on this essential resource. Using hands-on Soil Experiences, CURIOSOIL aims to deepen public comprehension of soil dynamics, establishing a connection between individuals and soil. By collaboratively developing educational products, curriculum standards, and teacher training programs, CURIOSOIL increases the appreciation of the value of soil and aligns with the EU Mission “A Soil Deal for Europe.” This initiative cultivates soil literacy, engages citizens, and promotes sustainable soil practices. The project aims to integrate soil health into EU school curricula by 2030, fostering awareness, knowledge, and behavioural changes for a resilient and climate-smart future. More information.

About ISRIC

ISRIC is an independent, science-based foundation accredited as the World Data Centre for Soils. Established in 1966, it provides quality-assessed soil information and knowledge to address global environmental and societal challenges. ISRIC is home to the World Soil Museum and the World Soil Reference Collection. Through its collections, exhibitions, educational programmes, and outreach activities, the World Soil Museum facilitates research and promotes awareness and understanding of the world’s soils, their diversity, functions, and importance to society and the environment. Engaging audiences both online and in person, the Museum makes soil knowledge accessible to all and fosters greater appreciation of the vital role soils play in a sustainable future. More information.

Press contacts

Rachele Renno | Press Officer and Media Relations

REVOLVE – Everything Is Changing

e. rachele@revolve.media // press@revolve.media

t. +39 3396753270

a. Ave. Palmerston 3, 1000 Brussels, Belgium

w. newsroom.revolve.media

Stephan Mantel | Head of World Soil Museum

ISRIC

e. stephan.mantel@isric.org

t. +31 (0) 317 483 735

a. Droevendaalsesteeg 3, Building 101, 6708 PB Wageningen, the Netherlands

w. www.isric.org