Curated OER
Composting in Schools: Observing Compost Microorganisms
Students explore composting. In this composting lesson, students use compound microscopes to observe the microbial communities in compost. Observations and documentation of changes will occur over the course of several weeks.
Curated OER
Composting
Pupils discover the concept of decomposition. They examine how it makes the soil more fertile and how it helps plants. They put a compost bin in their backyard and record their observations.
Curated OER
Composting
In this composting worksheet, learners read an informative paragraph about composting and then respond to 7 short answer questions regarding the topic.
Curated OER
Worm Compost & Vermicomposting
Students explore vermicomposting, the species of worms needed and the proper climate for it. In this composting instructional activity students make their own worm compost bin.
Curated OER
Trash Disposal Choices
Students determine the differences between reusable, compostable and recyclable trash.
Curated OER
Collecting Compost
Students observe a composting box. In this soil lesson, students create a composting bin by using a bin, newspaper, worms, and food scraps. Students create a composting food web.
Curated OER
Organic Matter
Written for an agriculture curriculum, this presentation on organic matter is also informative for gardening or horticulture classes. It details the chemical makeup, affecting factors, functions, maintenance, and composting to create a...
Curated OER
Garbage in the Garden
Students create their own compost. In this soil lesson, students fill a bag with waste and soil, in order to create a mini compost bin. Students observe the baggies over a 6 week period, they record their findings and collect data on...
Purdue University
Getting the Dirt on Decomposition
Sometimes science requires getting a little dirty. A hands-on lesson explores the idea of decomposition by building a compost structure. Using red worms and dirt, individuals build and collect data on the rate of decomposition. The STEM...
Bonneville
Bioreactor Water Circulation System
Make those microbes warm up water. Pupils first investigate water pumps, then design a water circulation system that uses solar energy. A bioreactor in the system takes energy from compost and helps heat water.
Curated OER
Learning About Composting
Students can create a compost pile to learn about the decomposition process.
Kenan Fellows
Sustainability: Learning for a Lifetime – Soil
Do great gardeners really have green thumbs—or just really great soil? Environmental scholars discover what makes Earth's soil and soil quality so important through research and experimentation. Learners also develop an understanding of...
Curated OER
Got to Rot
Students make their own compost in a 2-liter jug and determine the actual volume loss in the composted material over a six-month period.
Curated OER
Worms! Nature's Recyclers
Third graders explore the process of composting. In this composting lesson, 3rd graders read the book Wonderful Worms, and create composters.
Curated OER
Now You See It, Now You Don't
Students explore organic and inorganic objects. In this environmental lesson students perform a composting experiment using flowers in different soils. Students record their observations.
Curated OER
Life In the Soil: Home Sweet Home: Red Worms
In this soil worksheet, learners complete 2 pages about the importance of soil in plant growth. Students read about red worms and answer 2 questions about composting. Learners fill out a chart with their observations of plants planted in...
Curated OER
A MINI LANDFILL
Students observe the difference between degradable and non-degradable wastes. They create their own landfill in a jar by adding four or five pieces of garbage and then covering it with dirt and water. They make observations on what they...
Curated OER
Recycling
In this recycling worksheet, learners sort a list of items as either trash or something that can be reused, recycled, or used in composting. This worksheet has 5 fill in the blanks in a chart.
Curated OER
COMPOSTING: WHY BOTHER?
Students explore the composting process and participate in a contest to make the most compost the fastest from the school's kitchen and yard waste.
Curated OER
Make Your Own Newspaper Plant Pots
Students make plant pots out of newspaper as part of a recycle, reuse, and reduce instructional activity. In this recycling instructional activity, students fold a piece of newspaper to make a pot in which to start plants. They fill it...
Curated OER
Cafeteria Compost
Students gather information on composting. They create their own compost pile using proper materials from the lunchroom. They work together to record observations.
Curated OER
Making Your Own Sampling Tools
Students examine cause-and-effect relationship between human attitudes and behavior in the environment. They also assist citizens in increasing their sensitivity and stewardship for the environment.
Curated OER
Composting Presentations
Students create an presentation that suggests composting as a possible solution to solid waste issues. They research the types of solid waste that can be composted, the composting process and the role of worms in composting.
Curated OER
Composting
Eighth graders collect data from Bottle Biology compost columns and record using Excel spreadsheet.