The Arizona STEM Acceleration Project
Investigating Compost Bin Areas and Measurement
Solutions to School Waste Part 3
A 6th-8th grade STEM lesson
Renee Lang
Date 9.22.22
Notes for teachers
List of Materials
Science Standards
6.L2U3.11 Use evidence to construct an argument regarding the impact of human activities on the environment and how they positively and negatively affect the competition for energy and resources in ecosystems.
Science and Engineering Practices
Plan and Carry out Investigation
● Evaluate the accuracy of various methods for collecting data.
Analyzing and Interpreting Data
● Construct, analyze, and/or interpret graphical displays of data and/or large data sets to identify linear and nonlinear relationships.
Analyzing and Interpreting Data (background)
● Analyze and interpret data to determine similarities and differences in findings.
Standards
ELA Standards
6.RI.7 Integrate information presented in different media or formats (e.g., visually, quantitatively) as well as in words to develop a coherent understanding of a topic or issue.
6.SL.1 Engage effectively in a range of collaborative discussions (one‐on‐one, in groups, and teacher‐led) with diverse partners on grade 6 topics, texts, and issues, building on others’ ideas and expressing their own clearly. a. Come to discussions prepared having read or studied required material; explicitly draw on that preparation by referring to evidence on the topic, text, or issue to probe and reflect on ideas under discussion. b. Follow rules for collegial discussions, set specific goals and deadlines, and define individual roles as needed. c. Pose and respond to specific questions with elaboration and detail by making comments that contribute to the topic, text, or issue under discussion. d. Review the key ideas expressed, draw conclusions, and demonstrate understanding of multiple perspectives through reflection and paraphrasing
Objectives:
Agenda
Review data of school waste
Review of what is compost and how is it used?
Investigation: Ongoing over the course of a week depending
Analyze and Research: Could take a few class periods
Teacher Notes:
This part of the lesson could take 2-3 class period depending on how much time you allow for research.
Solutions may vary (the vision was to guide them to collection stations/school compost)
Since the end result solution is a school compost, working in a compost lesson before the investigation would be helpful.
Intro/Driving Question/Opening
How can we take all this waste and turn it into compost here at our school?
Let’s look back at our data collection of waste?
-Think about the layout of our school and where we might be able to compost.
Think of some questions…
I wonder where?...
I wonder how?....
I wonder when?.....
Share with your table group your wonders!
Investigation
Explore and Measure!
Tools Needed:
-Composition notebook
-Pencil
-Measuring tape
-There are three areas that we will look at. Before we begin, let’s set up a data collection table in our notebooks.
As we look at the space, think about what measurements we want to take… Height, Width and Length.
What do we want to use these measurements to find? (we want to find the volume these slots can hold.
A1
A2
A3
Investigation
Teacher Notes:
-Compost location is discussed in detail in the prior slide in the speaker notes.
-For my location, the compost area is wide open and would not be ideal for school compost bin but I wanted them to still measure the location to problem solve and research.
Evaluate-class discussion
Teacher Notes:
-Compost location is discussed in detail in the prior slide in the speaker notes.
-For my location, the compost area is wide open and would not be ideal for school compost bin but I wanted them to still measure the location to problem solve and research.
-Students concluded that this area would not be the best for our school situation. It is too open and not manageable and have decided on researching various compost bins. This information will be in Part 4.
Assessment
Assessment for this part of the lesson will be focused on the data table and the measurements they collected of all three slots. Two of the spaces are the same size as noted in the diagram and one is slightly larger. I am also looking to see if they can calculate the volume of the area using the measurements collected.
I am also checking to see if they are making connections to the compost research they did prior to this investigation.
Differentiation
Students may need guidance during the investigation. Pairs are helpful when thinking about collection and data collection.
Remediation
Extension/Enrichment
Think about how you can compost in your home. Is there an area outside that you can dedicate for composting? If so, collect the measurements and draw out a plan.