Compost

High school (ages 12+)
Environment & Earth

Name:

Date:

Step 1 · Read the article

Open the article and read it at the level above. Then answer the questions below in your own words.

https://smallwhale.org/articles/compost

Write what each word means, using the article.

Do not copy the article. Write two things you learned, the way you would explain them to a friend.

Answers below are taken from the article’s stored facts, so they match what the student read.

1. What is the scientific process?Controlled aerobic decomposition of organic matter by microorganisms
2. What is the optimal c:n ratio?Approximately 25:1 to 30:1 for efficient microbial activity
3. What is compost and how does it help plants?Compost is made from food scraps and leaves that break down into rich soil food. It gives plants nutrients and helps soil stay healthy.
4. How do tiny bugs and worms help make compost?Earthworms, bacteria, fungi, and other microbes eat the scraps and turn them into humus, a dark, nutrient‑rich material.

Humus: Stable, dark organic material in soil, formed from decomposed plant and animal matter.
Pathogen Inactivation: The process of killing disease-causing microorganisms, often achieved by high temperatures during composting.
Carbon Sequestration: The process by which carbon dioxide is removed from the atmosphere and stored in soil or other reservoirs.