From Garbage to Garden

Abstract

This lesson plan is for a laboratory activity that begins with direct instruction, allows students to explore the simulation, and gives students time to work in groups to create hypotheses concerning the five factors of decomposition. Lesson materials include a direct instruction PowerPoint, worksheets, and the Agent Sheets simulation model. After the initial laboratory, students should have the skills to create a working, real life compost pile. Students should also be motivated to reduce their negative impact on the earth’s ecosystem.