Garbology

Today, students were "Garbologists". Let me explain:

Garbology is, basically, just what it sounds like -- the study of garbage. More specifically, it is the careful observation and study of the waste products produced by a population of people, in order to learn about that population's activities in areas such as waste disposal and food consumption. In Garbology, everyday pieces of trash suddenly become valuable and interesting artifacts from which many inferences about their source can be drawn.

Don't worry, we weren't digging through the trash.  Instead, through other hands-on activities, students "dug into" a landfill to discover the simple science of decomposition and the importance of the four Rs.

Students learned what a 20-year-old hot dog and a newspaper from 1956 have in common.... They might both be found in our local landfill. Ask your child to explain how that's possible.

We also explored the question: What happens to the things we throw in the trash? Please take a look at the survey sent home with your child to help determine your garbage fingerprint and check-out the following websites for more information. Below are some questions you can ask your child to help them share what they learned today.

• What does the F.B.I. of decomposition stand for?
• Does decomposition happen in the “pocket full of garbage” known as the land fill?
• What item NEVER decomposes?
• How long does it take for plant and animal based items to decompose?

http://your.kingcounty.gov/solidwaste/education/fun-facts.asp

http://green.kingcounty.gov/dnrp/sustainable-living/environmental-quiz/