Students learn the science behind reducing and utilising organic waste as a resource by turning it into natural fertilisers.
For Curriculum levels 2 to 4 students investigate the methods of hot heap composting and vermicompost. Students will layer ingredients in a bin to make hot compost and learn how to maintain a worm farm, harvesting vermicompost and liquid fertiliser.
For Curriculum levels 4 to 8 students learn the method of hot heap composting and investigate the anaerobic fermentation of food scraps using EM Bokashi.
| Year Level: | 4 to 13 |
| Availability: | Available year round |
| Length: | 2.5 hours |
| Site: | EcoDepot / EcoDrop, Metro Place, Bromley |
| Cost: | Free |
| Number of classes: | One at a time
(One class = 35 students) |
| Requirements: | Closed-in shoes must be worn |
LTA Fertilising For the Future RAMS [PDF 49KB]
Programme outline
Key messages
Organic waste as a resource.
We can reduce and utilise organic waste by decisions we make.
We are all responsible for the waste we produce.
Sustainability, personal and social responsibility for action, natural cycles for dealing with waste, organic waste as a resource.
Lesson intentions
Students will discover the 6 important ingredients for good composting and how to use them for successful hot heap composting.
Students can then either
A) Discover how to maintain a worm farm by correct feeding, and adding suitable bedding, how to harvest the castings and worm tea (liquid fertiliser), or
B) Discover how EM (Effective Micro-organisms) can be used to compost food scraps by anaerobic fermentation.
Key Competencies
Participating and contributing - students will become actively involved in exploring sustainable choices in order to reduce waste.
Thinking - developing an understanding of processes through action
Managing self - contributing to sustainability of their environment.
Possible success criteria
Students may be able to:
Explain at least one way that we can reduce waste in our lives.
Explain the cycle of organics
Explain the process and methods of making compost for home or school.
Identify the correct materials to go into the Organics wheelie bin and explain some maintenance tips.
Identify actions they can take to encourage better use of organic resources in their lives.
Learning areas
Science | Living world | Level 2, 3, 5, 6 & 8 | Life processes |
| | Level 3 & 4 | Ecology |
| | Level 8 | Ecology Evolution |
| Material world | Level 3 & 4 | Properties and changes of matter |
| Nature of Science | Level 2 | Participating and contributing |
Social Sciences | | Level 5 | Understand how peoples management of resources impacts on environmental and social sustainability |
Health and Physical Education | B. Movement Concepts and Motor Skills | Level 2 & 4 | B2 Positive attitudes |
Mathematics and Statistics | Geometry and Measurement | Level 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6 | Measurement |
