Waste to Worth
Overview
Overview
Keywords: consumption, decomposition, environment, food, greenhouse gases, heat-based composting, home composting, microorganisms, moisture, nutrients, package, recycling, temperature, vermicomposting, waste, water
Subjects: sciences, biology, design technology
Age group: 5-11 years old
Difficulty level: ● ● ○ (medium)
Authors: Emma Shipton (GB), Tamar Jibladze (GE), Cristina Nicolaita (RO)
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About this topic
The experiments on the topic "Waste to Worth" revolve around the question how we can re-use materials. They help promote awareness and empower children to make informed choices for sustainability.
Through easy and fun activities, children are introduced to biological and chemical processes, and different properties of materials.
You can use the introductory story "Lilu's big vacation experience" to introduce your students to the topics of nature and sustainability.
This short story leads to the individual experiments on the topic of recycling.
Lilu had spent exciting vacations on an island together with his friend Alina. When Lilu came home, he remembered the garden with beautiful flowers he had seen on the island. He was determined to create his very own garden at home.
What was that box full of earthworms and cut grass? Lilu couldn't remember exactly what the two gardeners had explained him about composting. But he remembered that it had something to do with old leaves and kitchen waste. So he started collecting materials for the compost until he had enough to fill four containers. Beforehand, he had thought about what could the best place in his garden to put the compost. To find out, he started an experiment.
Do you remember? Lilu and his friend Alina spent their vacation on an island. During their walks, they had collected beautiful treasures like seashells, snail shells, and plant seeds. Lilu wanted to send the collection home to his parents. But how could he send the objects safely, so that they would not break?
Lilu remembered what his school teacher had said about taking care of the environment. Now he wondered how he could pack his treasures safely using environmentally friendly materials.
Compost in a Bottle
Students learn how we can recycle our organic waste by composting, and how composting reduces greenhouse gases which contribute to global warming.
Using household organic waste, students investigate how temperature and moisture can affect the rate compost can be produced.
This experiment helps students understand why it is important to compost biological waste. They also learn how to prepare compost and which conditions are needed for composting.
Why do we Need Packaging?
In order to be able to transport delicate products without damaging them, they are often wrapped in bubble wrap and other plastic packaging. This packaging quickly becomes an environmental problem.
We can learn from nature to find suitable natural packaging materials. In this experiment, we learn how to use natural materials instead of plastic to protect products in the event of an impact.
About the authors of this unit
Main responsible for
- Compost in a Bottle: Emma Shipton (GB), Tamar Jibladze (GE), Cristina Nicolaita (RO)
- Why do we Need Packaging: Emma Shipton (GB), Tamar Jibladze (GE), Cristina Nicolaita (RO)
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