Composting – Nature's Disappearing Act
Students explore the concept of biodegradability by building and observing model landfills to test the decomposition of samples of everyday garbage items. They collect and record experiment observations over five days, seeing for themselves what happens to trash when it is thrown "away" in a landfill environment. This shows them the difference between biodegradable and non-biodegradable and serves to introduce them to the idea of composting. Students also learn about the role of engineering in solid waste management.
Students explore biodegradability.Copyright Microsoft Corporation 1983-2001
Engineers are challenged with the problem of quickly and efficiently composting landfills, turning food, yard and animal waste into high-nutrient soil. By designing landfills to decompose garbage quickly (5 to 10 years), engineers create environmentally friendly ways to eliminate trash and generate landfill gas to produce electricity.
After this activity, students should be able to:
- Define biodegradable and non-biodegradable.
- Explain how engineers work to reduce solid waste.
- Gather and record data and observations based on a landfill experiment.