OBJECTIVE
Students will understand the importance of compost and engage in creating finished compost from their classroom and/or school food waste.
ESSENTIAL QUESTIONS
Where does soil come from? What is waste? How can we build soil? How have humans affected soil throughout history?
MATERIALS NEEDED
Worm bin building materials- large plastic container, soil, shredded paper, apple cores, worms
Outdoor 3 bin composting system
Outdoor compost tumbler
PROCEDURE
Introduction:
Review soil knowledge from Compost and Soil Exploration lessons.
Activity:
Students are divided into 3 groups. They are given the challenge:
For the next weeks, you will be part of the Compost Challenge! You and your
teammates will build a composting system, and track its decomposition efficiency.
Your goal is to turn as much waste into soil as quickly as possible. Are you ready??
Teams are presented with the 3 composting systems, and are assigned to one. Each
member of their team is given a role:
1) Research Captain: This person guides the research phase. They make sure
each person is finding out the information they need about their composting
system including history, different models, efficiency, materials, etc.
2) Building Captain: This person is in charge of the construction of the system.
They finalize the materials list and make sure that the team can acquire the
necessary materials. They guide the building process of the system, or the
repair/retrofit of an existing system
3) Tracking Captain: This person is responsible for keeping the numbers in
order, including the amount of waste (inputs) and the amount of soil
Compost Challenge 2
(outputs) each week. They communicate with the Scribe to make sure all of
the numbers are documented properly.
4) Troubleshooter: This person is ready for any hiccups in the system – pests,
smells, etc. They identify the problems and find solutions with the help of the
Research Captain.
5) Scribe/Journalist: This person documents the entire process, through note
taking, photography, and any other mediums they find appropriate. They
compile the research, document the building process, keep track of the
numbers, and guide the team in preparing their final presentation.
6) Presenter: This person is responsible for persuading the judges that their
composting system should win the Compost Challenge! Using the
documentation from the Scribe, this person guides the group in creating an
engaging and convincing final presentation.
Part 1: Research
Students are given 1-2 classes to research their composting system and design a
model.
Part 2: Building
Students are given 1-2 classes to build their composting system.
Part 3: Tracking
Students track the decomposition for 4-8 weeks.
Part 4: Compost Challenge!
Each team presents their findings to panel of judges.
Wrap up/ Assessment:
Compost Challenge Finals – students present their findings and are judged by a team
of community members, administrators, and other students.
Extensions:
School wide compost challenge in the cafeteria