Waste and worms

Pupils can enjoy using their observation skills on the rubbish trail in the woods and then add their finds to the bio- degrade time line. Pupils will learn how long familiar items take to break down in soil and in water.
We will look at the process of composting and that we need Carbon, Nitrogen, Oxygen and Moisture to create ideal composting conditions for micro organisms to do their work.

​Examples of 5 different composting systems on site will be visited and pupils will learn some fascinating facts about worms and get close up to some live worms. Pupils will be encouraged to consider the difference between materials that compost and those that do not rapidly return to soil. Recycling is a great way of re-using these materials that do not naturally biodegrade and pupils will see some examples of ingenious recycled products.

Pre or post visit studies might include setting up a wormery at school or an experiment in the time objects take to rot once buried.
​Most suitable for years 3 and 4 (1.5 hours)

Curriculum Links:

• Design & Technology KS2 - Investigate and analyse a range of existing products.

• Science KS2 - Identify and name a variety of living things in their local and wider environment.

• Science KS2 - Recognise that environments can change and that this can sometimes pose dangers to living things.
• Science KS2 - Recognise that soils are made from rocks and organic matter.
• Science KS2 - Identify that animals, including humans, need the right types and amount of nutrition, and that they cannot make their own food; they get nutrition from what they eat.