Not
Eggsactly Decomposing
(from Lesson 6 - Resource Recovery)
In
this lesson students will observe the rate at which different trash
materials decompose.
Use of the book:
Teacher notes on activity: p.148-151
Student instructions for activity: p.152
Data recording/Analysis questions: p.153-154
Materials Needed:
Permanent marker,
polystyrene egg cartons,
soil water, wooden Popsicle sticks or plastic spoons; and
small pieces of: newspaper,
orange peel,
aluminum foil, shredded leaves,
cotton ball,
wool yarn,
toothpick,
cardboard, glass marble,
iron nail,
metal paper clip,
plastic bottle cap, etc.
Copies:
p.152-153 on overhead transparencies
Opening Strategy: p.149
What happens to garbage when it is tossed into a landfill? What
is decomposition? Do different conditions affect decompostion
(ie. temperature, light, moisture, organisms (biodegradation),
etc.)?
Procedure: p.152
1. Label a 12-square grid on the inside lid of an egg carton.
2. Bury the items.
3. Do this for the same items 3 weeks in advance of the workshop,
2 weeks , 1 week.
4. Bring to workshop, dig up a few items to compare. If doing as
an activity with a classroom, students can use the data recording
sheet to measure and describe each item and make predictions about
what will happen.
5. Discuss. Ideas:
Extensions, Cross-Curricular Integration : p.150.
Language arts – keep journals to describe changes in more
detail.
Life Science – food chains/webs and the importance of
decomposers.
Math – graph changes in size and mass over time.
Plastic bags that are marketed as biodegradable are
really made of small pieces of plastic
held together
with biodegradable
starch.
The starch decomposes, but the tiny pieces
of plastic remain intact in the environment.
The
Garbage Gazette: p.214
“
Nature’s Garbage Disposal” - using worms – vermicomposting.
Southwest
Environmental Health Sciences Center
University of Arizona College of Pharmacy, Room 244
PO Box 210207, Tucson, AZ, USA 85721-0207 swehsc-info@pharmacy.arizona.edu
520-626-5594
520-626-6944(FAX)
