Compost Café: The Wide Reaches of Compost Investigations
Lesson 1:
Let’s Compost!
Purpose: To understand the benefits of ‘thermophyllic’ compost (regular ole composting); set up a personal/ family/ classroom compost bin.
Time frame: 1 day; once a week; ongoing
Materials: compost bin (large trash can, large bin, pallets), refuse (dried leaves, produce scraps, coffee grounds and filter, thermometer, lab journal,
Optional: Camera, memory card, Pasco Spark Science Center/ Vernier
Procedures:

Constructing a compost bin – this is meant to be fun. While you use your imagination to make a compost bin, there are a few things to keep in mind:
1.
Make sure there is sufficient airflow through the bin (this will eliminate potentially unpleasant odors).
2.
Create space at the bottom (ex. use a pallet, cinder blocks, etc.).
3.
Make sure the contents of your compost bin are within reach.

Resources for compost bin construction: [resources are endless online]
1.
www.Thisoldhouse.com
(How to build a compost bin)
2.
www.Youtube.com
3.
www.composting101.com
4.
www.backyardgardener.com

Building multiple compost bins will allow you to transfer/ turn compost easier.

Start collecting refuse (shredded paper, kitchen scraps, cardboard, coffee and coffee filters, etc.); avoid using meats and dairy products!
Extensions:
 Take pictures and identify “ creatures ” in the compost bin.

Periodically record the temperature of the compost bin, chart the change, and display on a graph.

Use Pasco/ Vernier to record radiant heat produced by compost pile.

Compost Café: The Wide Reaches of Compost Investigations
Lesson 2:
Let’s Compost – With Worms!
Purpose: To understand the processes of composting with worms; compare worm composting
(mesophyllic composting) versus non-worm composting (thermophyllic composting);
Time frame: once a week; ongoing
Materials: Gloves; ‘Rubbermaid’-type bins in pairs (10 gallon or larger); screen material; drill (for air holes); cardboard, newspaper, dry leaves; worm ‘food’; small amounts of sugar; small storage space
Optional: Blender, 10 gallon cooler with spigot, Pasco Spark Science Center/ Vernier
Procedures:

Purchase Red Wiggler worms ( www.unclejimswormfarm.com
); free with enough research

Worm bin preparation for habitation … they need a comfortable environment:
1.
Prepare bins for air flow [drills holes in the top lid and around the top of the bins; drill holes in the bottom of the same bin, large enough for liquid to drain; place second lid under bin as holes are drilled so as the holes line up with the bottom of the bin and lid; cut and glue small pieces of screen to cover holes at the bottom of the bin]
2.
Stack bins – bin with air holes will be placed on top
3.
Prepare bin for comfort [line the bottom of the bin with strips of shredded cardboard; rip newspaper into small pieces and crumble up dry leaves – spread these into the bin about 3 inches thick; wet material to the point of a wrung out sponge]
4.
Worms can be added at this point
5.
Optional: food can be added at this time

Food preparation: blending the food up allows faster decomposition and ingestion o food should be covered by leaves or shredded paper; o only add food to one side of the bin; o Optional: sugar can be added periodically to increase microbial reproduction (more decomposition and compost)
Extensions:

Monitor the rate of decomposition of certain foods; temperature variations; worm replication.
 Measure/ bottle ‘worm juice’ production.
 Design experiments using ‘worm juice’ as fertilizer.

Compost Café: The Wide Reaches of Compost Investigations
Lesson 3:
Let’s Brew Some Tea!
(Liquid Fertilizer)
Purpose: Use the scientific method to design investigations, test, and compare a variety of compost
“juices and teas”.
Time Frame: 24 hours - ongoing
Materials: Worms, compost, bins, stocking, molasses, test subjects (plants/ flowers), 10 gallon cooler, water bottles, 10+ gallon aquarium pump
Optional: Utilize similar size and type of bottles (ex. Disani has green caps!!); labels;
Pasco Spark Science Center/ Vernier;
Procedures:
 “Worm Juice” production:
(non-edible) o Worm juice refers to the liquid that is collected in the bottom of the two bins (if you have a two-bin system) o Worm juice can be poured directly into individual bottles/ containers. o ½ gallon of worm juice creates 10 gallons of fertilizer when diluted in water
 “Compost Tea” production:
(non-edible) o Fill 10 gallon water container with water; aerate water for an hour to lessen the amount of chlorine o Place 2 ‘handfuls’ of compost in a stocking and allow it to soak in the water as it continues to aerate for 24 hours; add a teaspoon (or two) of molasses to increase microbial growth.
Extensions:

Design an experiment to determine the effectiveness of using Worm Juice versus Compost
Tea versus regular water.

Develop a variety types and concentrations of compost tea and test their effectiveness.

Use Pasco/ Vernier to test Compost Tea/ Worm Juice for chemicals, minerals, etc.

Use Worm Juice, Compost Tea, compost, and Red Wigglers as a fund raiser.