Educators can schedule a classroom lesson with BRING (available in Lane County only) to help students explore a natural recycling process known as vermicomposting. Using the book “Diary of a Worm” as their guide, learners discover the essential role played by worms in decomposing organic materials and transforming them into valuable nutrients that nurture new life.

Students make a simple bioplastic from corn starch, providing an opportunity to discuss the advantages and disadvantages of bioplastics and how we use natural resources.

Sand particles and the dunes they form are moved by wind and water through erosion. This activity for elementary school students demonstrates the concept and effects of erosion simply and inexpensively using found materials.

This lesson encourages and educates students on the importance of the “Six Rs” in an interactive activity that makes learning easy and memorable.

Students analyze data obtained from testing different materials to determine which materials have the properties best suited for an intended purpose.

Students design a solution to a human problem by mimicking how plants and/or animals use external parts to help them survive and grow.

Students use knowledge of the characteristics of living things to categorize objects as living or non-living.

Students develop a simple model that mimics the function of an animal in dispersing seeds or pollinating plants.

Through this introductory engineering activity, students consider the advantages of different roof shapes for different climates or situations. During a teacher demo, they observe and discuss what happens when a “snow load” (sifted cups of flour) is placed on three different model roof shapes. A student worksheet is included.

Students use the engineering design process to devise a container that slows down the melting of an ice cube.