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The Poop on Composting

By Teresa C. Weglarz

The Poop on Composting


 

Abstract

This interrupted case study tells the story of Miles, a freshman in college, who volunteers to help with the composting program on campus. Miles is excited about composting but his mother is hesitant to try it at home. Miles learns about the key ingredients for successful composting and his mother eventually begins to see its value. The case is presented in four parts, and can be used with or without the PowerPoint presentation and associated clicker questions (see Supplemental Materials). First, students are asked to analyze waste that they generate at home and identify any material that is compostable. Next, students explore the science of composting. Finally, students explore the topic of human manure to consider composting to the extreme. The case was designed for an environmental science course for non-majors; no prerequisite knowledge is assumed or required.

   

Date Posted

12/12/2016

Overview

Objectives

  • Identify compostable materials.
  • List the key ingredients needed for composting.
  • Explain why aeration is important in composting.
  • Describe the biogeochemical cycles for carbon, phosphorous and nitrogen.
  • Explain the biological processes of decomposition in terms of chemical reactions.
  • Discuss the value of compost.

Keywords

Composting; decomposition; carbon cycle; nitrogen cycle; phosphorous cycle; waste; recycling; humanure; manure, toilet

  

Subject Headings

Agriculture
Ecology
Environmental Science
Natural Resource Management
Science (General)

EDUCATIONAL LEVEL

High school, Undergraduate lower division, Undergraduate upper division

  

FORMAT

PDF, PowerPoint

   

TOPICAL AREAS

N/A

   

LANGUAGE

English

   

TYPE/METHODS

Clicker, Discussion, Interrupted

 

 

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