Learning service_Composting_Minyi
1
Service Learning --Project of composting Aranda Maricela, Chen Minyi, Tavera Rene J, Uche Onyekachi K. (ordered by the first letter) Advisor: Dr. Poonam Gulati, Dr. Bhattacharjee University of Houston-Downtown [email protected] ABSTRACT: In collaboration with students in BED 4311 class, Microbiology students developed a Service Learning Project in which children from Adele B. Looscan Elementary School were taught the scientific method through a hands-on approach by setting a compost of organic materials and then using the compost to plant green beans. Introduction Pre-k students learned about the importance of hypothesis development, data recording, protocol compliance and conclusion development. Integrally, Microbiology students monitored and studied each step of the compost, including nutrient concentrations (Phosphorus, Nitrogen and Potassium), pH and bacterial colonies found: Gram staining was performed to study morphology and Gram properties. *Su: sufficient, Ad: adequate, De: deficient, N: no Soil test including pH, N: Nitrogen, P: phosphor, K: potassium Temperature is compared with hand Experimental Methods The materials selected to compost were picked specifically by type and ratio of Carbon to Nitrogen according to studied literature; materials selected included grass clippings, kitchen scraps and dry leaves, finally resulting on a theoretical ratio of 29:1 (C to N). The whole composting process took for 35 days. Results and Discussion Conclusions Results indicated that compost was successfully developed with an alkaline pH and normal levels of nutrients; furthermore, comparatively to a negative control, the plants thrived and grew with a higher height percentage of 10% to 30%. week pH N P K Temperatu re Gram-staining 2 nd 5 Ad Ad De Higher • Negative Bacillus • Positive Coccus 3 rd N N N N Lower (normal) • Negative Bacillus • Positive Coccus & Bacillus 5 th 8 Su Ad Ad Lower (normal) • Negative Bacillus • Positive Coccus & Bacillus • Appeared a group of new distinct Positive Bacillus Figure 10. Composting has already done after 1 mouth and kids began to grow their tomato with the composting soil Figure 9. Kids was taking care of their tomatoes Figure7. Composting was in process and nearly to be done Figure 8. In the third week, composting exhibited litter mold Figure 11.The first day of composting, kids were enjoy layer the materials Table 1. Result of Soil test and Gram-staining Figure 4. the first Gram- staining • Negative Bacillus • Positive Coccus Figure 5. the first Gram- staining • Negative Bacillus • Positive Coccus & Bacillus Figure 6. the first Gram-staining • Negative Bacillus • Positive Coccus & Bacillus • Appeared a group of new distinct Positive Bacillus Figure 1 & 2. The first soil test Figure 3. The second soil test Conclusions The mature compost was used to plant green bean plants and study their growth comparatively to a negative control. Figure 12 & 13. The growing bean
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Transcript of Learning service_Composting_Minyi
Service Learning--Project of compostingAranda Maricela, Chen Minyi, Tavera Rene J, Uche Onyekachi K. (ordered by the first letter)Advisor: Dr. Poonam Gulati, Dr. BhattacharjeeUniversity of [email protected]
ABSTRACT:In collaboration with students in BED 4311 class, Microbiology students developed a Service Learning Project in which children from Adele B. Looscan Elementary School were taught the scientific method through a hands-on approach by setting a compost of organic materials and then using the compost to plant green beans.
IntroductionPre-k students learned about the importance of hypothesis development, data recording, protocol compliance and conclusion development.Integrally, Microbiology students monitored and studied each step of the compost, including nutrient concentrations (Phosphorus, Nitrogen and Potassium), pH and bacterial colonies found: Gram staining was performed to study morphology and Gram properties.
*Su: sufficient, Ad: adequate, De: deficient, N: no testingSoil test including pH, N: Nitrogen, P: phosphor, K: potassium
Temperature is compared with hand
Experimental MethodsThe materials selected to compost were picked specifically by type and ratio of Carbon to Nitrogen
according to studied literature; materials selected included grass clippings, kitchen scraps and dry leaves, finally resulting on a theoretical ratio of 29:1 (C to N). The whole composting process took for 35 days.
Results and Discussion
ConclusionsResults indicated that compost was successfully developed with an alkaline pH and normal levels of nutrients; furthermore, comparatively to a negative control, the plants thrived and grew with a higher height percentage of 10% to 30%.
week pH N P K Temperature
Gram-staining
2nd 5 Ad Ad De Higher• Negative Bacillus • Positive Coccus
3rd N N N NLower
(normal)• Negative Bacillus• Positive Coccus & Bacillus
5th 8 Su Ad Ad Lower (normal)
• Negative Bacillus• Positive Coccus & Bacillus• Appeared a group of new
distinct Positive Bacillus
Figure 10. Composting has already done after 1 mouth and kids began to grow their tomato with the composting soil
Figure 9. Kids was taking care of their tomatoesFigure7.
Composting was in process and nearly to be done
Figure 8. In the third
week, composting
exhibited litter mold
Figure 11.The first day of composting, kids were enjoy layer the materials
Table 1. Result of Soil test and Gram-staining
Figure 4. the first Gram-staining• Negative Bacillus
• Positive Coccus
Figure 5. the first Gram-staining• Negative Bacillus• Positive Coccus & Bacillus
Figure 6. the first Gram-staining• Negative Bacillus• Positive Coccus & Bacillus• Appeared a group of new distinct Positive Bacillus
Figure 1 & 2. The first soil test
Figure 3. The second soil test
Conclusions
The mature compost was used to plant green bean plants and study their growth comparatively to a negative control.
Figure 12 & 13. The growing
bean
