Teatime4App

Teatime4App

The Tea Bag Index (TBI) app collects data on soil observations and in particular on the dynamics of soil decomposition. The degradation of soil organic matter is part of the global carbon cycle, which provides information on soil biological activity and is therefore important for climate change. Changes in the carbon content of soil can both intensify and mitigate climate change.

Citizen Scientists can choose from 3 activities: 1) basic soil observations by recording soil colour, soil life and land use, 2) soil observations by studying soil texture using finger and spade samples, 3) TBI. The TBI records the degradation rates of buried tea bags (green tea and rooibos) within 3 months according to a standardized procedure. The method can easily be performed by Citizen Scientists such as students. The collected data is transferred to the database of the Global Tea Bag Index Network www.teatime4science.org).

Schools can easily add the TBI app to their curriculum. Teaching materials (soil observation with all senses, spade test, soil texture with finger test, TBI) in the app expand the students' knowledge about soil and the global carbon cycle.
The Tea Bag Index App will contribute to a strong link between science and society by linking each of the activity categories to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The Tea Bag Index runs on the SPOTTERON Citizen Science Platform

  •     Target group: Agricultural schools
  •     Project duration: 1 year (15.1.2019 - 31.12.2019)
  •     Activities for schools: Feb-Apr 2019 (Evaluate materials), June - Sept 2019 (Test tea bag method and app)

Download for Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.spotteron.teabagindex

Download for iOS: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/tea-bag-index-spotteron/id1465181150

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