Yes, they are wiggly and squirmy, but do you know how important worms are? Learn about worm anatomy, life cycle, and just what makes worms so wonderful. Make a vermi- (worm) compost bin to take back to your classroom. (NCSCOS Science Standards: K-Goal 1; 1^st-Goal 1, 3^rd-Goal 2; 5^th-Goal 1; 6^th-Goal 4.01-4.02)

An introduction to the difference between "decomposition" and "biodegradable" using everyday household trash items, this hands-on activity provides a tactile approach to "Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle". Through teamwork and discussion students will create a timeline of how long everyday household trash stays around on our planet. Each student will also make a useful object out of throw away items. (NCSCOS Science Standards: 5^th-Goal 1.07; 6^th-Goal 4.01)

Most people call it dirt, but soil is crucial for our survival! Come visit the forest, lake, and farm of Chestnut Ridge to discover the main types of soil (loam, clay, sandy, humus, etc) and find out how soil is made! Student groups will get their hands dirty as they discover how to make their own soil using a variety of components. (NCSCOS Science Standards: 3^rd-Goal 2)

Our earth’s forests are being depleted faster than they are being replenished. Deforestation is a major environmental issue as cities and roads have been built in areas that were once home to thriving forest ecosystems. This impacts not only the trees and plants, but also the wildlife that depend on the forest for their food. Our Forests Forever program teaches about the importance of forests. Students identify over a dozen items we use every day that come from our forests. They will also recieve their very own pine tree sapling to take home to plant. (NCSCOS Science Standards: 3^rd-Goal 1; 5^th-Goal 1; 6^th-Goal 7)

At Chestnut Ridge we try to reduce, reuse, and recycle, and one way we do this is by composting our food waste. Students will visit our compost bins, get an up-close look at who’s at work in there, and build their own compost pile. They'll learn what goes in a compost bin (and what doesn't), the role of temperature in composting, and how compost helps gardens, plants, and the planet. Take home instructions for how to start your own compost at home or school. (NCSCOS Science Standards: K-Goal 1; 1^st-Goal 1, 3^rd-Goal 2; 5^th-Goal 1; 6^th-Goal 4.01-4.02)