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Preparation time: 15 min
Teaching time: 120 min

Construction of a school composter

Working in groups, students will build a composter, with each group being responsible for a different part of the composter. After construction is completed, the materials to be composted will be placed inside. For the next 2 weeks, they will check the compost level every 2 days, measure the temperature, and record their observations.

Format

  • Group work
  • Hands on activity
  • Presentation

Age

  • 9+

What

The possible connections with your curriculum

  • Biology
  • Engineering & Technology
  • Natural science

Who

The people who take up the teacher role

  • Other school personnel
  • Parent
  • Teacher

Where

The locations where learning takes place

  • Classroom
  • Outdoor spaces

With

The community stakeholders to collaborate with

  • Families

Ready for action?

Resources

Tangible Resources

Approx. 40 pine boards 60 cm long, 4 construction boards (thicker), hammer, nails or screws, screwdriver, paint for wood preservation, a pallet, two hinges for the lid, height measure, thermometer, composting material. Optional: Mobile phone or camera for photo-reporting of the level and state of the compost formation

Human Resources

School conservator, parents to help with the build

Preparation

Preparing waste material (e.g. twigs, grass, fruit and vegetable peels from the kitchen) 

Goals, messages & concepts

Specific goals

  • Students understand the basic concepts related to composting.
  • Students build a school composter into which they will throw appropriate waste. 

Specific messages

  • Organic waste can be managed and disposed of naturally.
  • How composting can improve the quality of life.

Main terms

  • prototyping
  • trial and error
  • environmental protection
  • decomposition

Practices & skills

STEM practices

  • Engaging in argument from evidence
  • Obtaining, evaluating, and communicating information
  • Asking questions and defining problems
  • Planning and carrying out investigations

Soft skills

  • Dealing with uncertainty
  • Learning failure is a part of learning
  • Teamwork and collaboration

Management skills

  • Planning
  • Use of resources

Course of activity

step 1

Demonstrate the different types of composters through an engaging presentation. Remind students what materials are suitable for composting and which are not.

step 2

Present the task to students “Design and build a composter”

  • Important elements of the construction
  • Materials and equipment needed to build a composter.
  • Health and safety when working with tools
  • Agree the stages of preparing the composter together.

step 3

Working in groups, construct one element of the composter.

  • Select the necessary tools (each element will be composed of the same number of boards)
  • Build individual composter elements
  • Join all the pieces together and check the construction
  • Install the composter in the school garden.

step 4

Observe the composting processes for another 2 weeks, checking compost levels and composting temperature every other day. Record this using photographs.