BUGS Compost Comprehension & Contest!
BUGS 6th & 7th grade students will compete in a new contest for the lowest per capita waste production during lunch time - working their competitive & academic muscles!
Leader
BUGS, Susan Tenner
Location
500 19th street Brooklyn, NY 11215
About the project
The Steps
1) The Garden Technology Coordinator (TC) will work to design the parameters for the contest with the staff and students (how it will be measured, who will do what, and what the prize may be).
2) The Garden TC will work with operations and the cafeteria staff to set up bins and measuring capabilities to support the contest.
3) The Garden TC will launch the contest to the students-- explaining the goal and scientific fundamentals of compost.
4) The staff will align their curriculum with the contest when possible.
5) The students will compete to see which group can reduce the most waste.
6) The Garden TC will also be working with the Sustainability Superstars to focus on the science of compost during one trimester of their weekly enrichment classes.
Why we‘re doing it
Why are we doing this?
1) Because composting saves money, saves resources, improves our soil and reduces our impact on the environment.
2) Because using our lunch compost for our school garden and to reduce our waste in a measurable way, draws students' awareness to systems thinking, the interconnectedness of things, and the civic engagement needed for a sustainable future.
3) Because adolescents learn best through hand on messy learning that is connected to their immediate lives, such as beautiful, gross compost from their lunch! Many students are also driven by contests, which brings their attention to metrics as well.