Agnes Irwin 3rd Graders Learns the Art of Vermicomposting

Most third graders do not think about how to be less wasteful or ways in which they can help the environment in “real time.” But thanks to a $700 grant from The Dominion Foundation, third graders at Agnes Irwin are learning not only how to reduce waste through composting – a natural recycling process - but also how to live sustainably as proactive members of the planet.

The Ecology Club visited third graders in the Lower School to introduce the concept of worm composting, teaching the girls how to take care of the invertebrates and how to assemble multi-tier worm bins.

“This is only the beginning,” exclaimed Cassie Woestman, science teacher for the Lower School. “Third grade will be managing this entire project, indefinitely. They will be responsible for deciding which compost ingredients to use and measuring how much of the ‘mix’ goes into the worm bins. Essentially, third grade will act as the hub of the whole project for the Lower School.”

With grant funding, Agnes Irwin was able purchase two composting bins, the necessary bedding for the worms and the worms themselves. Third-graders will be working with members of the Upper School Ecology Council to collect food waste from the Lower School Dining Room, separate the waste that can be composted, and add that waste to the bins. Ultimately, the compost will be used to beautify shrubs and tree beds on Dolly Gaul Day (Lower School Community Service Day).

“It’s been fun to see the Lower School students get excited about composting and to teach them how to convert waste into nutrients and minerals,” said Paige Chandler ’12, co-head of the Ecology Club. “Even more rewarding, though, is involving them in a project that raises their environmental awareness. It’s easy to learn and something that they can do at home and throughout their lives.”

The Ecology Club strives to identify ways in which AIS students can help protect and improve the local and global environment through community service, habitat projects, assemblies and fundraising.