Worm Composting

in the STEAM Lab

What is it?

Vermicomposting is using red worms to speed up the composting process. In other words, we will turn our organic waste into rich soil by feeding it to red worms.

Why?

The worm bins we have were purchased with a 2008 Golden Bell Grant for “Going Green in the Third Grade Garden.” The purpose of vermicomposting in the classroom is to encourage healthy eating habits while teaching students about the natural process of decomposition.

Setting up the Worm Bin

Our Plan

• We have three bins. K-1, 2-3, and 4-5
• We will feed the worms on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. Click here to see the schedule.
• Students may ONLY contribute worm food on their assigned day.

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Our Bins

What do worms eat?

Food for the Worms

• Kindergarten and 2nd grade students can bring in organic waste from breakfast at home or school on the assigned day
• Grades 1,3,4,and 5 may only feed the worms organic waste from their lunch at school on the assigned day
• When the worms have had enough, food will be added to a traditional compost bin outside

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Food for the Worms

• All food will be collected in these buckets until STEAM Class
• Students may only add to the bucket on the assigned days

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Shredded Paper

• To prevent flies, we add shredded newspaper to the top of the bin
• Students are invited to bring in shredded paper at any time
• No glossy paper

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Questions?

E-mail me at jdavid18@fau.edu

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Additional Resources:

• The Adventures of Herman the Worm
• Worm Farm from PBS LearningMedia
• Compost Activity

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