Composting is a wonderful teaching tool which can introduce and explain far reaching concepts like life cycle, the importance of death and decomposition, soil recycling, resource management, garbage and landfills.
Best of all, composting activities are just plain fun! Children get to touch dirt, hold worms, build compost piles, set up and explore worm bins, analyze what they’ve eaten for lunch, and learn songs about worms and other wiggly creatures.
Various resources are available for teachers and schools in the unincorporated area and Scotts Valley to involve their students in composting and recycling through the Green Schools Program
Backyard Compost Bins for Schools
Backyard compost bins use green waste from school grounds and garden, as well as fruit and vegetable scraps. To purchase a backyard bin, visit our Free and Reduced Cost Bins page.
Worm Bins for School and Preschools
Worm bins are great for classrooms or school gardens. These bins offer the chance for a classroom presentation on nature's way of recycling, lifecycle, ecosystems and organism interaction. To purchase a worm bin, visit our Free and Reduced Cost Bins page.
Resources
Worm Foods
Worm Bin Critters
Websites
Books, Curriculum, Videos and More
California School Gardens Network
Cornell University Composting in Schools
Kids stuff--Adventures of Squirmin' Herman the Worm
School Waste Management Education and Assistance