Keeping it Green: Using a Compost to Improve Student Learning

Authors

Spencer Mesick, Clinton High School
Kayla Hendrix, Lewis Central Middle School, Council Bluffs

Document Type

Article

Abstract

This article discusses ways in which composting might be used to mentally engage students with science content. Incorporating a compost pile in the classroom provides ample connections to future science content (e.g., conditions necessary for the life of organisms in a well running aerobic compost, what decomposition means in a biological sense, aerobic vs. anaerobic decomposition, food webs, respiration, recycling of nutrients, landfill issues, etc.). Also, reflecting the complexities of effective science teaching, the article makes clear the crucial role of the teacher during the activity. The science content and activity addressed in this article are appropriate for 9th - 12 grade biology or general science students. The lesson could easily be modified for 6th – 8th life science students by making appropriate decisions regarding what science content to forego. This article promotes National Science Education Content Standards A, C, F and G, and Iowa Teaching Standards 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6.

Publication Date

Spring 2010

Journal Title

Iowa Science Teachers Journal

Volume

37

Issue

2

First Page

11

Last Page

14

Copyright

© Copyright 2010 by the Iowa Academy of Science

Language

en

File Format

application/pdf

Recommended Citation

Mesick, Spencer and Hendrix, Kayla (2010) "Keeping it Green: Using a Compost to Improve Student Learning," Iowa Science Teachers Journal: Vol. 37: No. 2, Article 4.
Available at: https://scholarworks.uni.edu/istj/vol37/iss2/4