As our kids are bombarded by buzz words like; global warming, conservation and recycling, it can often be hard for them (and even for their parents) to truly understand and connect just how their small effort can indeed make an impact on the world at large. Enter the Landfills and the Environment Lab Activity by Ward’s Natural Science, which provides kids with the opportunity to see, touch and create their own small microcosm of a landfill which will ultimately bring home just how truly important it is that everyone’s effort no matter how big or small is made to keeping trash from ending up in the world’s landfills.
Here’s the breakdown: This Earth Science activity will both enlighten and educate kids (and their parents) about how our waste is handled in the environment. It is a great tool to introduce students to environmental issues related to the specific materials which are in landfills ones which are biodegradable and dangerous pollutants. It will also alert students to scarier statistics like the fact that materials like plastic or Styrofoam can remain undegraded for 500 years.
How it works: There are four suggested investigations involving the formation and monitoring of landfills. Biodegradation, Landfill Formation, Microbial Degradation of Solid Waste Materials and Microbial Composition in Various Soil Environments. The product includes enough materials for three landfills, a list of additional outdoor activities, a teacher’s guide, and a comprehensive manual which includes a section to record data collection.
Age: Middle school to college aged students would benefit most—although my seven and three year-old were able to grasp the essence of the project and were more than happy to dig in their heels and get to work.
Time required to complete: Projects may take from five days to up to eight weeks to complete.
Cost: $84.95
Best Features: This project can act as the perfect catalyst to begin discussions on recycling, pollutants and renewable energy. As students undertake, the product’s suggested investigations it will ultimately impart them with an inside understanding of which materials are biodegradable and how a landfill functions.
Difficult Features: In our instant- microwavable world—this kind of project will require that kids exercise their patience skills- and hopefully they’ll learn that while waiting can be difficult it can also yield some pretty amazing results. On a personal note; since we’ve begun our landfill my seven-year-old likes to take its “temperature” several times a day!
You can get the product right now here.