Vermi-composting (Grades 8-12)

Grade/Subjects:

• Grades 9-12 Sciences; Social & Environmental Studies

Topic/Length:

• Vermi-composting (food waste composting using worms) 50 mins.

Objectives:

• To introduce basic concepts concerning vermi-composting and to briefly discuss outdoor composting techniques.

Common Essential Learnings:

• critical and creative thinking
• social and personal values

Prerequisite Student Learnings:

• some basic scientific principles
• previous exposure to composting (e.g., backyard composting at home) is an asset

Methods/Strategies:

• Set: 5- 10 mins. Introduce concept vermi-composting. Define vermi-composting and composting terms. Ask for anecdotes from students (which families compost now, student's ideas about vermi-composting and compositing, etc. )
• Development:    25 mins. - PowerPoint vermi-compost presentation and discussion. Talk about the information that is communicated in the presentation. 10-15 mins. - Vermi-compost exploration and discussion. Discuss basic vermi-composting principles. Students can investigate backyard composting and ideas behind composting. 
• Closure: 5 mins.  Review care of worms – do not over handle, bury fresh food, and refer to the information that is available in the manual for guidance.

Materials/Resources:

• Online information about composting from the City of Regina's website and City of Regina printed materials
• Worm bins
• Vermi-composting manuals (e.g., "Pee Wee's Family in a Nutshell", "Pee Wee and the Magical Compost Heap")
• Waste reduction brochures
• Vermi-composting PowerPoint presentation and required display hardware
• City of Toronto's website with instruction on how to compost with worms

Assessment/Evaluation:

Nothing formal – question for understanding.

Reflections/Notes:

• A good lesson for a science class, or as a beginning to a sustainability program.

• Use in Biology, Chemistry, Junior Science, Environmental Studies, etc. with focus on appropriate topics for that particular discipline.