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Completed: Help Us Reduce Waste And Feed Our Plants!

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"For students in the inner-city, learning about the environment can often seem disconnected from their daily lives. As a fifth grade science teacher at a high-need school in Chicago, I try to give my students as many experiences as possible with nature.

Last spring, we started a small garden outsid... " MORE

"For students in the inner-city, learning about the environment can often seem disconnected from their daily lives. As a fifth grade science teacher at a high-need school in Chicago, I try to give my students as many experiences as possible with nature.

Last spring, we started a small garden outside of our school. We had our soil tested and found that the levels of nutrients and organic matter are very low. In order to improve our soil and the productivity of our plants organically, we need compost. However, compost can be expensive, and my students are very excited about their ability to make compost for themselves. They have proposed using redworms to compost food waste from our school cafeteria. However, getting started with this project also requires some funding.

In order to reduce waste from our cafeteria AND develop rich compost for our garden, we need two worm compost classroom kits. Through this project, students will collect uneaten fruit and vegetable waste from breakfast and lunch and feed it to the worms in our compost bins. They will witness decomposition firsthand and learn about the recycling of nutrients that takes place naturally in ecosystems. In addition to learning science concepts, my students will be empowered to reduce our waste and to make a positive impact on our environment.

By funding this project, you will provide my students with an irreplaceable learning opportunity. Composting in our classroom will bring this natural process to life in a very tangible way. More importantly, you will empower my students to understand that they really can make a difference in their world. You will encourage them to continue to look for meaningful solutions to environmental problems.

My students need two worm compost classroom kits, complete with the compost bin, worms, bedding, and a resource book to help students make meaning of what they observe. The cost of this proposal is $264, which includes shipping for any materials requested and fulfillment ?."

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Ms. M. sent this note after the project was fully funded:

Nov 4, 2009
Dear Jill, Pearl, Mary Jo, Stephen, Disney's Planet Challenge and Anonymous Donor, 
Thank you so much for your donations to our fifth grade science class!  As the weather turns colder outside, we are spending more and more time learning about the environment in our science lab.  These worm compost bins will provide a fascinating way to witness decomposition and to learn about how nature recycles nutrients.  We can't wait to plant our garden in the spring, and to use our compost to nourish our plants!  Your generosity has made this exciting learning experience possible.  

With gratitude,
Ms. M.

Photos coming soon!

Live Updates
Reviewed the project essay and sent follow-up questions if needed.
Jennifer K. (volunteer) on Oct 3, 2009
Verified the cost of the requested supplies and posted this project.
Scott C. (associate) on Oct 4, 2009
"I gave to this project because I believe in teaching kids about being good to the environment."
Stephen from Montebello, CA gave on Oct 13, 2009
"I helped because I'm a strong believer in Environment Science education."
Mary Jo from Chicago, IL gave on Oct 14, 2009
"I helped because I'm a strong believer in Environment Science education."
Pearl from Colorado gave in support of Geobloggers Giving Kids the Earth on Oct 25, 2009
A donor gave on Oct 28, 2009
"I am so happy to help you and your class with this project! I hope your students enjoy learning about composting and gardening, and how they can make a postitive impact on the environment! Good luck!"
Jill from Chicago, IL gave on Oct 29, 2009
"Disney's Planet Challenge gave to this project to support the efforts of students and teachers working to help the planet one classroom at a time! Each year, we invite one classroom that has done an outstanding environmental project to Disneyland and many other rewards for up to 56 classrooms. Visit http://www.Disney.com/planetchallenge to enroll and register this project!"
Disney's Planet Challenge from Los Angeles, CA gave in support of Disney's Planet Challenge on Oct 29, 2009
Project fully funded!
Happy news on Oct 29, 2009
The teacher Ms. M. on Nov 4, 2009
Purchased the supplies for Ms. M.'s classroom and notified the school principal of delivery.
Jenni D. (staff member) on Nov 5, 2009
Please notify our staff of any messages or photos of concern.
Funded!
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