Education
In the last two summers, we partnered with the UC Merced CalTeach Bobcat STEM Academy to teach two composting cohorts. Through this collaboration, we introduced students to the foundations of composting, soil health, and sustainability in a hands-on and engaging way.
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This curriculum was developed to spark students’ curiosity and provide an accessible introduction to the science behind composting. Our lessons help students explore how organic waste breaks down, why healthy soils matter and how sustainable practices can make a real impact in our communities.
Compost Quest:
From Waste to Wonder
This week-long cohort was designed to educate students about the different levels of compost impact. We started on Day 1 with at-home composting, moved to Day 4 where students explored industrial-scale composting, and wrapped up on Day 5 by discussing how government and policy can influence what composting looks like in our communities.​
To help students confidently navigate these different levels of composting, we also included curriculum on the science behind compost. By learning about the organisms that live in our soils, the nutrients most essential for soil health, and how different soil amendments affect soil quality, students strengthened their understanding of why composting matters. This deeper scientific knowledge helped them build confidence in their ability to explain composting to others and recognize that compost plays a much larger role in environmental health than many people realize.
Compost 101
Activity 1
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- Basics of compost
- Can it be composted game
- How to build a bin composting systems
Out Door 2
Students will collect data from the compost pile they built the day before.
Worm 101
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This activity allows students to get comfortable with worms by creating their own worm.
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Nutrient Test
This activity allows students to get a better understanding of how nutrients influence plant health.
Building a
worm bin
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Students will group up and build a worm bin. Students will be expected to feed their worms and keep track of the food they feed them.
Compost
Investigation
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Using everything the students have learned and their problem solving skills they will develop solutions for different compost scenarios.