What’s included in the visit.
Introduction – what is compost and how do we make it.
Activity:
- The class will pick out items from organic waste which will be used in the compost bottle.
- Observe the natural process over 6 weeks, plant a seed in the matured compost.
Duration: 40 minutes
Appropriate for: Schools program. Year 1 – 6.
Requirements: Maximum 40 students, one class per session. It is preferred in a school setting that the presenter addresses multiple classes during the visit, with a minimum of 3 sessions, one class per session.
. One teacher and one adult helper to assist
What each student will need:
1 Clear 1ltr plastic bottle with the lid cut down to 20cm from the top of the bottle.
MRC will provide ingredients for the composting process.
Learning outcomes: The science behind composting, the nature of soil and water and what plants need to grow. Helping the environment, using waste as a resource and understanding where organic waste goes and how we can use it to grow plants and vegetables.
What’s included in the visit.
Introduction – what is compost and how do we make it.
Activity:
- Choose an outdoor space for an open compost pile or bin, you will need at least 1 sq mtr of space.
- Material to start the compost pile/bin plus Leaves, Grass clippings, Prunings and Shredded paper.
- Access to water / hose.
- A closed compost bin if required.
- Tools, long and short handled shovels / spades and forks / wheelbarrow.
- Gloves.
Duration: 40 minutes
Appropriate for: Schools program. Year 1 – 6. Community groups.
Requirements: . Maximum 40 students, one class per session. It is preferred in a school setting that the presenter addresses multiple classes during the visit, with a minimum of 3 sessions, one class per session.
One teacher and one adult helper to assist
Preparation: Lunch scraps can be used for a closed compost bin, not suitable for an open compost.
Learning outcomes: The science behind composting, bacteria and other organisms which are essential to soil and compost development the nature of soil. Discovery of waste as a resource, helping the environment, using waste as a resource and understanding where organic waste goes and how we can use it to grow plants and vegetables. Working together in a team, performing set tasks, Health and Physical Education - learning to use tools safely.
What’s included in the visit.
Introduction – How we use compost to set up a small garden.
Two visits to the school are required.
Visit 1: Initial visit what is compost and how do we make it.
(see Option B)
Preparation for making small portable gardens.
Visit 2: After 6 weeks re-visit the compost and mix it with soil from the school grounds and make small gardens in foam boxes, either in groups or as individuals. We will plant a variety of vegetables and/or herbs in the box, either to be kept at the school for a period or to take home and maintain. After 6 weeks the compost is ready for planting.
Duration:
- Visit 1 - 40 minutes
- Visit 2 - 40 minutes
Appropriate for: Schools program. Year 1 – 6. Community groups.
Requirements: . Maximum 40 students, one class per session. It is preferred in a school setting that the presenter addresses multiple classes during the visit, with a minimum of 3 sessions, one class per session.
One teacher and one adult helper to assist
What will be needed:
Foam boxes and plants/seeds, access to water/hose either for each student or for small groups.
Learning outcomes: The science behind composting, bacteria and other organisms which are essential to soil and compost development the nature of soil. Discovery of waste as a resource, helping the environment, using waste as a resource and understanding where organic waste goes and how we can use it to grow plants and vegetables. Working together in a team, performing set tasks, Health and Physical Education - learning to use tools safely.
Option D: Setting up a small garden
Introduction - What is compost, how we make it and why.
Make ‘instant garden beds’ with sheet mulching or layering
methods using ‘waste’ materials
This option is a larger scale version of Option C. Students will make compost in situ in the garden bed.
Duration: 40 minutes
Appropriate for: Schools program. Year 1 – 6. Community groups.
Requirements: . Maximum 40 students, one class per session. It is preferred in a school setting that the presenter addresses multiple classes during the visit, with a minimum of 3 sessions, one class per session.
One teacher and one adult helper to assist.
Leaves, Grass clippings, Prunings and Shredded paper.
Wheelbarrows, forks, spades and access to hose/water. Wear old clothes as students will get wet and dirty. Old fridges, with doors and motor removed (available from MRC, Tamala Park), make great raised garden beds.
Learning outcomes: The science behind composting, bacteria and other organisms which are essential to soil and compost development the nature of soil. Discovery of waste as a resource, helping the environment, using waste as a resource and understanding where organic waste goes and how we can use it to grow plants and vegetables. Working together in a team, performing set tasks, Health and Physical Education - learning to use tools safely.
Arts - creating art work with nature.
Activities take approximately 40 to 60 minutes to complete.
It is preferred in a school setting that the presenter addresses multiple classes during the visit, with a minimum of 3 sessions, one class per session.
Contact
If you have a specific area of interest, we can offer tailored solutions. Please contact the MRC Waste Education team to discuss our talks, demonstrations and workshop options and to make a booking.
Telephone: 9306 6303
Email: wasteed@mrc.wa.gov.au