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Organics Information Sheet and Worksheet
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Learning objectives
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Activities
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Curriculum Links
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Resources
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To identify how organic materials rot and the difference between composting and rotting in a landfill site.
Familiarisation of the use of technical language to describe the rotting processes.
Understanding the role of rotting in natural cycles and the benefits of composting.
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Activity 1- reading and comprehension of key terms
Activity 2 - designing a compost heap
Activity 3 - making a compost column and observation of the rotting process of various organic and inorganic items.
Extension Activities - growing a living head using compost and designing the key features of a landfill site
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Activity 1 - English and science
Activity 2 - DT
Activity 3 - Science
Ext. 1 - Art
Ext. 2 - DT
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Organic information sheet
Activity 2 - 2x2litre fizzy drinks bottles per pair or group, old net curtain, old pair of tights, glue and sharp pointed scissors.
Ext. 1 - library books on nature and ecology
Ext. 2 - organics information sheet
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Items in bold will need to be brought in from home.
Background information
Composting garden and appropriate food waste is one of the most environmentally friendly "recycling" processes because it uses natural processes to turn unwanted waste materials into a valuable product. Where composting is undertaken at home the product can be used in the same garden as the waste was generated in. This is a good example of the environmentally sustainable "proximity principal" where waste is treated and reused as close to the point that it is generated as possible.
Many local authorities offer composting units or wormeries to householders free of charge or at a subsidised rate. Often they will also consider offering the units to schools.
A number of technical terms are introduced in this topic area and the glossary of terms outlined in the Answers and notes may need to be referred to.
Answers and notes
Glossary
Compost - the material formed when organic matter rots
Organic material - plants, fruit and vegetables - living things (meat and fish should be avoided when making compost because they attract flies and vermin and tend to putrefy)
Biodegradable - materials that are able to rot
Decompose - to rot
Greenhouse gas - these gases trap heat within the Earth's atmosphere and contribute to global warming
Problems at landfill sites include
· Landfill gas - a mixture of gases including methane and carbon dioxide that have to be captured and burnt off at landfill sites. In many modern sites the burning of gas is used to make electricity or to generate heat.
· Leachate - the liquid wastes generated at landfill sites which also have to be captured and treated before being returned to the watercourse.
Activity 3 - This activity may take several weeks of observation. It may be better to dedicate compost columns to either organic or inorganic materials in order to observe the differences between the biodegradable and non-biodegradable materials. Although paper will rot it may need to be cut into small pieces and damp and make take more time than would be reasonable for this activity to be complete.
If the pupils undertake Extension Activity 2 they will need to include pipes inside the rubbish for collecting the landfill gas and a lining material (often clay with heavy plastic sheeting) to stop the leachate escaping.
Organics extension activity 1: a living head!
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1. You will need help from your friend.
2. Cut the foot off an old pair of tights.
3. Put grass seed in the toe.
4. Fill up with compost.
5. Put a piece of blotting paper or kitchen roll through the middle of the compost.
6. Tie the neck of the tight with string.
7. Soak the compost with water.
8. Balance on the top of a container of water with the blotting paper or kitchen roll in the water.
9. Wait for a few weeks!
10. Once the grass has grown you can add facial features of felt or cardboard.
11. Using a pair of scissors you can create your own hair style!
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Organics extension activity 2: landfill design
Draw a cross section diagram of a landfill site. Use the information sheet to help you. Draw in some of the equipment and machinery you would expect to see at the site.
How could you stop the leachate escaping and how could you collect the dangerous gases? What would you do with the leachate and gases?
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