Composting and Chemical Changes
Source/Author: Raffi Darrow, Ebytes Editor
September 01, 2017
Ray Wunderlick, a former Shorecrest student and perennial consultant on campus regarding all things gardening, shared his expertise with fourth grade on Friday. Farmer Ray brought in all sorts of materials that can be added to a compost bin. He taught students how to recognize the two basic ingredients in compost - carbon and nitrogen. Carbon is typically brown material (such as dried leaves and paper bags) but any shredded paper will work. Nitrogen is typically green, but any fruit or vegetables scraps qualify. Although they are brown, coffee grounds are an excellent source of nitrogen.
Next, fourth graders began tending the compost bins on campus.
To study decomposition further, fourth graders conducted five experiments that demonstrated chemical and physical changes. They practiced thinking and writing like scientists by recording their observations using words and drawings. During the experiments they observed indicators that a chemical change was occurring. Ask your fourth grader what those indicators are!
More photos here.
Next, fourth graders began tending the compost bins on campus.
To study decomposition further, fourth graders conducted five experiments that demonstrated chemical and physical changes. They practiced thinking and writing like scientists by recording their observations using words and drawings. During the experiments they observed indicators that a chemical change was occurring. Ask your fourth grader what those indicators are!
More photos here.
