The Natural History Museum of the Maremma is launching an initiative that is truly out of the ordinary (but inside the earth!): the Underpants Test. You read that right. A pair of pants. To be buried.



But no, it's not a joke: it's citizen science, science done together with citizens, to study the health of the soil through a simple experiment within everyone's reach.



📆 First date:

Saturday 26 April, 5 p.m.

📍 Maremma Museum of Natural History

👨‍🏫 With expert Paolo Pileri (Milan Polytechnic)

🎙️ Talk: ‘On the side of the soil: the invisible ecosystem’.



At the end of the event - with free admission - a free kit will be distributed for participating in the experiment, complete with instructions.



👖 HOW DOES IT WORK?

You receive a 100% cotton underwear

You bury it in the ground for about two months noting down some simple information via an app

You dig it up to analyse how much it has degraded. The more it is consumed = the more the soil is alive and rich in micro-organisms!

Participate in the final event at the museum to complete the test and send the data via app!

A curious and fun way to learn more about what's happening under our feet.

🔍 WHY IS IT IMPORTANT?

Soil is an essential but fragile ecosystem. Monitoring it helps us protect

🌾 food security

🐜 biodiversity

🌍 the future of our planet

Your data will contribute to the international scientific project Beweisstück Unterhose (Switzerland).

Soil health is close to your heart? Then don't miss the Soilblitz on 17 May.



✨ Join the experiment!

Take part in the Underpants Test

👉 An opportunity to do science, have fun and... get your hands dirty (in a good way!)
We look forward to seeing you!
FREE ENTRANCE