Composting - STEAM Lesson

STEAM activities use hands-on learning—like building, experimenting, and exploring—to boost critical thinking and creativity. For children and siblings facing pediatric cancer, these activities are more than just schoolwork; they bring back a feeling of normalcy, success, and confidence during a difficult time.

STEAM education helps kids learn vital skills, connect with others, and have fun! These at-home STEAM activities let children and siblings facing pediatric cancer explore Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math in a fun, comfortable setting.

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Age Group Best Served: K-8

Child/Adult Ratio: 6 to 1

Take Away Artifact: Yes

Approximate time: 1 hour

Divisions Covered: All

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Materials:

Individual: One 2L bottle per student, soil, fruit and vegetable scraps, scissors (or hand saw), wood burning tool, spray bottle, 2-4 red wiggler worms per student, 1 cup pea gravel per student.

Large Group: Metal trash can, soil, fruit and vegetable scraps, cordless drill with large metal bit, pea gravel

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Questions to ask:

How do worms help the composting process? Why is it helpful to add compost to a garden?

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Skills Required for Completion of Task:

Motor skills

• Bilateral upper extremity coordination
• Ability to manipulate small objects
• Hand-eye coordination
• Ability to grip objects
• Ability to stabilize objects/task

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Process/Cognitive skills

• Ability to attend to task for greater than 5 minutes
• Follow multi-step directions
• Ability to sequence steps
• Ability to understand safety precaution
• Ability to organize or keep materials organized for task
• Ability to adjust to different workspace requirements

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Social skills

• Ability to communicate and share equipment with peers/staff appropriately

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K-8 Standards:

K.ESS3: Earth and Human Activity 3) Communicate solutions that will reduce the impact from humans on land, water, air, and other living things in the local environment.

1.LS2: Ecosystems: Interactions, Energy, and Dynamics. 3) Recognize how plants depend on their surroundings and other living things to meet their needs.

4.LS2: Ecosystems: Interactions, Energy, and Dynamics 3) Using information about the roles of organisms (producers, consumers, decomposers), evaluate how those roles in food chains are interconnected in a food web, and communicate how the organisms are continuously able to meet their needs in a stable food web.

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This activity would be appropriate completed by the following disciplines:

Occupational Therapy, LCSW, Family Services

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Instructions:

Watch: “Do the worm bin”

Individual Composters:

• Using a sharpie write your name on your bottle (and that of your worms if you wish) cut the top off of the bottle (about 10-15 cm down) using scissors and or saw.
• Using a wood burning tool melt 10-20 holes covering the bottle. Holes should be no bigger than one cm in diameter.
• Place pea gravel in the bottom of the bottle. Alternate layering plant waste and soil, lightly misting between layers until reaching the top of the bottle.
• Add worms (allow students to interact with and discuss worm life processes that will take place inside the bottle)
• Place top back on bottle upside down.
• Place in a warm (not hot) place.
• Compost should be ready in 3-4 weeks.

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Large Composter:

• Drill 20-30 holes in the large metal trash can.
• Place pea gravel in the bottom of can. Alternate layering plant waste and soil, lightly misting between layers until reaching the top of the can.
• Add worms to the compost can.
• Place in a warm but not hot place.
• Compost should be ready in 3-4 weeks.

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Precautions: Care should be used with wood burning tool!

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The Austin Hatcher Foundation is a nationally recognized leader in psycho-oncology care, providing innovative, evidence-based services for families facing pediatric cancer. Through a holistic approach, the Foundation supports the emotional, mental, and social well-being of children, siblings, and parents—ensuring families have the resources to heal and thrive during and after treatment. 

Through programs like STEAM Club and at-home resources like these, we encourage creativity, build confidence, and strengthen connections through hands-on learning. To learn more about our programs or to request comprehensive support, visit https://www.hatcherfoundation.org/resources/request-an-appointment