The Situation
In response to new Federal regulations, Subtitle D, communities were forced to construct new landfills to protect the groundwater and surrounding environment. Six south central Idaho counties joined forces to build a regional landfill, Southern Idaho Solid Waste.
Educational programs on waste reduction and resource recovery were identified as an effective method to raise awareness, make citizens responsible for their waste, and reduce the amount of waste entering the landfill.
The worm composting educational program is one component of the comprehensive waste management program co-sponsored by the University of Idaho Cooperative Extension System and Southern Idaho Solid Waste. The program is designed to teach children about composting as a method of waste disposal and recycling of organic waste.
Our Response
Worm compost bins, purchased by Southern Idaho Solid Waste, are placed in elementary classrooms at select schools throughout the Magic Valley. A 30-minute presentation, developed by UI Extension Educator Barbara Morales, is presented to the classroom receiving the worm compost bin. Those students are asked to share information with others in their school.
Students are taught the basic science of composting and how worms can turn organic waste into a valuable soil amendment. They also learn about worm anatomy, reproduction, and eating behaviors.
Following the presentation, students use small hand-held microscopes to the examine worms. They also search for cocoons and new hatchlings in the bin. Those lucky enough to find a cocoon near hatching can sometimes see three to five small worms inside.
Follow-up activities are provided to assist teachers in incorporating the compost worms into core curriculum.
In the classroom students are able to examine worms further. They measure worms of various ages and observe population changes by collecting representative samples from the bin at different times. Students also observe the eating habits of the worms and learn what foods the worms like and dislike.
The decomposition process is easily observed and many types of molds and insects can be found in the bin assisting with the composting process.
Finished compost is used to demonstrate the effect of compost on plant growth. Students grow seeds and apply compost to some plants but not others, then observe the difference in the rate of growth.
Student's observations are documented with stories ranging from descriptions of what it would be like to be a worm to factual reports written on the computer with digital photos included.
Achievements
Students are very enthusiastic about having the worms to care for and watch. Teachers have been equally enthused to have them as a classroom tool to enhance learning in math, science and language, and have increased the number and scope of activities each year. "We would love to have the opportunity to have the worms again next year," said Barbara Hadlock, a Central Elementary fifth-grade teacher in Jerome. "It was a fun, learning experience." "We measured and observed the worms, then used the "worm juice" on plants," said Sue Griffith, Kimberly fifth-grade teacher.
Nearly 600 students and teachers learned, through direct contact, about worm composting as an alternative method of waste disposal in the past two school years. Students and teachers who received the initial training on worm composting have taught some 1,500 other students about it. A participating teacher shared information about this program at the statewide Ag in the Classroom conference held in Boise.
The Future
Worm bins will remain in seven Magic Valley classrooms for the 1998-99 school year. Four other classrooms will have bins for portions of the year. Two classrooms will receive bins for the first time.
Presentations will be given in all schools and again the students and teachers will be asked to share the information with other students in their schools.
Information on using compost worms in the classroom will be recorded on CD-ROM and a teacher's guide developed. This packaged program will be distributed to elementary schools in the six-county area of the regional landfill district.
For More Information
Barbara Morales
Extension Educator
University of Idaho
Jerome County Cooperative Extension System
300 North Lincoln, Suite 111
Jerome, ID 83338
208-324-7578
Fax 208-324-7562
E-mail: bmorales@uidaho.edu
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All contents copyright and copy; 1996-1998. Cooperative Extension System, College of Agriculture, University of Idaho. All rights reserved.
Page Updated: December 1, 1998.