Who said studying soil formation can’t be fun? In this geological memory game, you match concepts and definitions while uncovering the secrets of weathering, erosion, and pedogenesis. Perfect for anyone who wants to learn while playing — and to remember that soil has a long story to tell!
Content covered: key concepts related to soil formation, such as pedogenetic processes, formation factors, and the physical and chemical properties of soil.
Target audience: undergraduate students in Civil Engineering or Geosciences, especially in Soil Mechanics, Engineering Geology, and Soil Science courses.
Number of players: 2 to 4 participants.
Average playtime: 20 to 30 minutes.
Game type: memory game with pairs of concepts (orange cards) and definitions (pink cards).
Objective: to form as many correct pairs as possible between concepts and definitions related to soil formation.
Format: physical print-and-play game, with simple instructions and colorful PDF cards.
How to use it: Ideal for classroom activities, content reviews, teaching workshops, and university outreach projects.
What do you need? Just the PDF files available on this page. Simply print, cut, and glue the cards as instructed. No glossary, answer key, or extra materials needed: the correct pairs are numbered on the back of the cards, allowing the group to verify the matches with minimal supervision from the instructor.
By playing Muddy Mate, students develop essential cognitive skills for understanding soil formation, such as:
Muddy Mate was created by Dr Bruna Lopes, who developed the first draft based on her experience teaching Geotechnics. The initial concept was enhanced with contributions from Laís Lopes, who assisted in reviewing the content.
The game was tested with a group of lecturers from Newcastle University during 2023’s teaching planning activities and improved based on the feedback received. The final version was developed by Dr Bruna Lopes, incorporating suggestions to make the material clearer, more educational, and better suited for classroom use.
Game: Muddy Mate
Bio: Uncover the secrets of soil formation in a fun memory game! Match concepts about weathering, erosion, and pedogenesis while having a blast.
Last update: 26/03/25
