3 trash cans standing side-by-side, with labels for "Compost," "Waste," and "Recycling."

This resource is a part of the Caribbean Climate Kids Explorer Backpack

Compost Sorting Relay Race

Overview

This is a fast-paced relay game aimed at having students learn to identify what items go into compost, trash, recycling, reuse, or should be refused altogether. It’s a fun and active way to teach proper waste sorting—and get students thinking about how to reduce their environmental impact through composting and other smart waste decisions.

Activity Type:

Lesson

Target Grade Level:

K-2, 3-5, 6-8, 9-12

Estimated Duration:

45-60 min

Topics:

Caribbean

Possible Connections to NGSS

Performance Expectations

K-ESS3-3: Communicate solutions that will reduce the impact of humans on the land, water, air, and/or other living things in the local environment.

2-PS1-1: Plan and conduct an investigation to describe and classify different kinds of materials by their observable properties.

4-ESS3-1: Obtain and combine information to describe that energy and fuels are derived from natural resources and their uses affect the environment.

3-5-ETS1-1: Define a simple design problem reflecting a need or a want that includes specified criteria for success and constraints on materials, time, or cost.

MS-ESS3-5: Ask questions to clarify evidence of the factors that have caused the rise in global temperatures over the past century.

HS-LS2-7: Design, evaluate, and refine a solution for reducing the impacts of human activities on the environment and biodiversity.