Foundations: The World Beneath Our Feet
It’s April, and I am up to my eyeballs in gardening! While most people are looking at green leaves and ripe veggies, I’m looking further down. I’ve realized that my most successful garden seasons don't actually start with the plants; they start with a foundation of healthy soil. I began preparing way back in November because I learned that the true unsung hero of the garden is the soil!
Healthy soil is alive! There is a massive microbial community living under the surface, and scientists are discovering that this soil microbiome is the engine for all plant life. Did you know a single teaspoon of healthy soil contains more microorganisms than there are people on Earth? Decomposition plays a key role in building up soil. And to keep that foundation thriving, we need to feed it.
Science With Depth Activity: Vermicomposting
If you’re thinking, "Holly, I am not bringing smelly, rotting food into my classroom," don't worry! I’m talking about vermicomposting, that is, composting with worms. I’ve kept vermicomposting bins in my K-5 classrooms and even have two sitting next to me right now. No smell, no mold, just thousands of Red Wrigglers turning scraps into "black gold."
The Low-Cost Setup:
The Bin: Drill drainage holes in the bottom of a plastic tote (a 27-gallon bin works great).
The Bedding: Let your students go wild shredding newspaper or cardboard for the bottom layer.
The Worms: Add Red Wrigglers (bought online or donated by a local farmer).
The Feed: Add food scraps (avoiding citrus, meat, or oils). Pro-tip: Chop the food to increase surface area so the worms can process it faster!
The Storage: Place the bin on a surface that can catch any drippings and keep a lid on it between feedings.
The NGSS Connection
This isn't just about worms; it’s about Asking Questions, Planning and Carrying Out Investigations, and Systems and System Models. A worm bin is a self-contained ecosystem where students can witness decomposition, life cycles, and energy transfer in real-time. Whether you are using microscopes to see the internal organs of a worm or comparing the decomposition rates of a whole apple versus a sliced one, you are showing students that sometimes the most important foundations are the ones we have to look closest to see.
The Benthic Buzz
Have fun building this foundation in your classroom! I would love to be a part of your vermicomposting journey. Do you have a "wormy" question or a success story to share? What is the weirdest thing a student has asked you about the vermicomposting process? Email me at holly@sciencewithdepth.com and let’s dig in together!