{"id":39481,"date":"2023-02-01T17:32:24","date_gmt":"2023-02-01T22:32:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/nstem.org\/staging\/?p=39481"},"modified":"2025-08-08T15:31:50","modified_gmt":"2025-08-08T19:31:50","slug":"3-easy-composting-projects-for-k-2-students","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/nstem.org\/staging\/2023\/02\/3-easy-composting-projects-for-k-2-students\/","title":{"rendered":"3 Easy Composting Projects for K-2 Students"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Photo courtesy of Pixabay<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

For K-2 kids, nothing is more fun than digging in the dirt. So why not turn a messy playtime activity into a fun lesson on sustainability?\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

A composting experiment is a great tool for teaching children ways to reduce the amount of waste sent to landfills. They\u2019ll be amazed to find out that our leftover food will magically transform into soil! Best of all, these enriching experiences instill lifelong sustainable practices in young children right from the start. With a bit of help from parents or teachers, the following composting projects for K-2 students can help kickstart the process.<\/span><\/p>\n

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1. Build a soilarium and watch the soil grow<\/b><\/h2>\n
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Photo courtesy of Tom’s of Maine<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Think of a<\/span> soilarium<\/b> as a mini solarium, but instead of a large glass sunroom, you\u2019re using a small see-through container. A mason jar or 2-liter soda bottle will do the trick.<\/span> Follow these quick and easy steps from Tom\u2019s of Maine to create one<\/span><\/a>. Every two weeks, mark a line to show the \u201cnew\u201d top as nature does her work and the contents settle. Be sure to label it with the date, so students can watch the progress of their microbes. Before their eyes, the organic matter will turn into a nutrient-rich soil that in about 12 weeks will be ready for a springtime garden.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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<\/b>2. Create a worm garden where kids do the composting<\/b><\/h2>\n
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Photo courtesy of Pixabay<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Kids will be delighted when you tell them that worms can turn organic waste into a rich fertilizer, called worm castings\u2014aka \u201cworm poo.\u201d Worm farming, or vermicomposting, is the process of<\/span> raising worms to create a natural, nutrient-rich compost you can use in your garden or on plants at home. It\u2019s a fun composting project to do with your K-2 students and requires minimal materials. You can purchase compost worms online or from an existing worm farm. Foam vegetable boxes or coolers work great. You need two boxes for this project.<\/span><\/p>\n