A Guide for Student Composting Research

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Composting in the Classroom: Scientific Inquiry for High School Students, by Nancy Trautmann and Marianne Krasny, is a comprehensive guide for teachers interested in guiding composting research projects by high school students.

It was selected by the National Science Teachers Association to be included in NSTA Recommends, a collection of the best science education books. Read the review.

Composting in the Classroom (PDF file for complete book). Instructions for faster PDF downloads.

• Chapter 1: The Science of Composting
  • Thermophilic Composting
  • Compost Chemistry
    • Chemical Requirements for Thermophilic Composting
  • Compost Physics
    • Mechanisms of Heat Loss
    • Aeration
    • Moisture
    • Particle Size
    • Size of Compost System
  • Compost Biology
    • Microorganisms
    • Invertebrates
    • Earthworms
• Chapter 2: Composting Bioreactors and Bins
  • Two-Can Bioreactors
  • Soda Bottle Bioreactors
  • Worm Bins
  • Outdoor Composting
    • Holding Units
    • Turning Units
    • Enclosed Bins

• Chapter 3: Getting the Right Mix
  • Choosing the Ingredients: General Rules of Thumb
    • Moisture
    • Carbon-to-Nitrogen Ratio
    • Other Considerations
  • Calculations for Thermophilic Composting
    • Moisture
    • Carbon-to-Nitrogen Ratio

• Chapter 4: Monitoring the Composting Process
  • Temperature
  • Moisture
  • Odor
  • pH
  • Microorganisms
    • Observing Compost Microorganisms
    • Culturing Bacteria
    • Culturing Actinomycetes
    • Culturing Fungi
    • Measuring Microbial Activity
  • Invertebrates
    • Pick and Sort
    • Berlese Funnel
    • Wet Extraction

• Chapter 5: Compost Properties
  • Compost Stability
    • Jar Test
    • Self-Heating Test
    • Respiration Test
  • Compost Quality
    • Phytotoxicity Bioassay
  • Effects on Soil Properties
    • Porosity
    • Water Holding Capacity
    • Organic Matter Content
    • Buffering Capacity
• Chapter 6: Compost and Plant Growth Experiments
  • Plant Growth Experiments

• Chapter 7: Composting Research
  • Exploration and Controlled Experiments
  • Narrowing Down a Research Question
  • Example Research Projects
  • Interpreting Results
  • Final Words
• Glossary

• For More Information

• Index

See Also Our Related Video: It's Gotten Rotten

Cornell Waste Management Institute
Department of Crop & Soil Sciences
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