Promote Global WORMING!

Yes by looseends
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Worms support the biotic pyramid, so they make a great metaphor for promoting environmental education among children, as well as adults. The use of worms, especially in composting, is so popular that educators definitely need to include it in any series of environmental education program that addresses the biotic pyramid.

Decomposition is the basis for the survival of the biotic pyramid, and worms make creating a proper decomposition area much easier and safer than many other types of decomposers, like mold or bacteria. In this series of presentations, let's examine how a variety of activities can be used to support this important aspect of environmental education.

While the central project will be to create and keep a "Kitchen Komposter" as a valuable way to live aspects of the Three R's:

• Reduce
• Reuse
• Recycle

and learn the fourth R: how to RENEW our biotic pyramid. 


Let's also focus on the role WATER plays in our Kitchen Komposter. Can our microhabitat, the Kitchen KOMPOSTER have:

• TOO MUCH WATER?
• NOT ENOUGH WATER? 

How can we determine this?

Through a variety of activities, let's also learn 

1. ways to learn about and express our ideas about the natural world.
2. what the Biotic Pyramid is.
3. what types of living things are considered Decomposers in the Biotic Pyramid.
4. how earthworms ( or other macroinvertebrates) live in their habitat. What is their life cycle?
5. how the life cycle activities of worms or other macroinvertebrates support water recycling, as well as solid waste recycling. 
6.  how to simulate or create an environment similar to the natural one where worms live, grow and reproduce.
7. ways to measure the inputs and outputs of our Kitchen Komposter.
8. ways to enhance the biotic pyramid through the Kitchen Komposter.

In future posts, Activities and Assessments will be discussed that are aligned with Kansas state curriculum.

Find Your Family's Footprint

mother daughter scooter by WhatDaveSees
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On Blog Action Day 2009, bloggers all around Earth are sharing their ideas, comments and actions for Climate Change.
If we hope to be the change we see in the world, let's start at home. Try this carbon footprint survey provided by the Environmental Protection Agency and determine the extent of your carbon usage. Learn what you can do to make it smaller or pat yourself on the back for keeping your family's ecological footprint to a minimum.