EESW will launch the project with a one-hour in-school workshop designed to educate pupils on the scale and impact of food waste. During the session, students will explore how reducing and recycling food waste can significantly lower greenhouse gas emissions and learn how they can contribute to building a more sustainable future.
As part of the workshop, pupils will be guided through assembling a mini composter, choosing either worms or bokashi bran as a natural accelerator. The mini composters will stay with the school for up to five weeks, during which pupils will use measuring equipment to monitor key variables like temperature, pH, and moisture levels as they observe the decomposition process in action.
Around 2–3 weeks into the project, students will follow a short video tutorial to create a nutrient-rich liquid fertilizer using their composters. They’ll also test the fertilizer’s nutrient levels before using it to grow a crop of microgreens. All necessary resources, including video guides, will be provided. The microgreens will be planted in compact indoor windowsill propagators and will be ready for harvesting and tasting within 7–10 days.
To extend learning, additional (optional) activity resources are available, giving pupils even more opportunities to explore sustainability and environmental responsibility.
There are a limited number of places available for secondary schools.
This project is funded by the Royal Society of Chemistry.
