Ready for action?
Resources
Tangible Resources
notebook
Human Resources
expert
Preparation
Source potential local experts for the students to arrange to talk with. Prepare paperwork for off-site visit if necessary.
Goals, messages & concepts
Specific goals
- Students know what composting is, its role in organic life cycles, and how composting is used in agriculture or horticulture.
- Students recognise the processes taking place in the composter and the rules of proper composting.
- Students understand how to set up a school composter.
- Students are aware that an inappropriately handled composter may be a source of hazard (e.g. methane, ammonia, hydrogen sulphide).
Specific messages
- Circulation of matter in nature and the role of composting in this circulation.
- Processes taking place when composting.
Main terms
- composting
- fertilisation
- lifecycle
Practices & skills
STEM practices
- Engaging in argument from evidence
- Obtaining, evaluating, and communicating information
- Asking questions and defining problems
Soft skills
- Teamwork and collaboration
Management skills
-Course of activity
step 1
Students prepare a visit with a local expert, agreeing the date of the meeting and the questions they might want to ask.
step 2
Students meet with the expert, listen to his/her presentation, then ask questions related to the composting process, building composters, and the use of fertilisers.
step 3
They make notes on the meeting in the form of a mind map, sketch or other form of “mixed media” poster.