High school students come alive as they observe the "rot riot" of invertebrates and microorganisms that inhabit a compost pile. A centipede cleaning its antennae, a pseudoscorpion searching for microscopic prey - these and a multitude of other organisms are shown in the process of making compost.

Chemistry and physics enter the picture too. Taking into account what they know about oxygen, moisture, carbon, and nitrogen needs for successful composting, students design effective compost systems for use in their classroom. They carefully record compost temperatures, and chart the intricate process of decomposition. Best of all the students and their community see the results of their efforts as they turn a vacant lot into an urban oasis.

IT'S GOTTEN ROTTEN sets the scene for classroom composting.

The teacher's guide is written by Nancy M. Trautmann and Marianne E. Krasny, of Cornell University, authors of the book Composting in the Classroom (1997).



Grade Level: 7-12
US Release Date: 1996     Copyright Date: 1996
DVD ISBN: 1-59458-863-5     VHS ISBN: 1-56029-682-8

Reviews "Buy or rent this video to show to your class or garden club...the cohesive organization...the superb close-up cinematography of primary, secondary and tertiary decomposers, and the excitement of the high school kids who are shown working with compost make it worth (the price). I highly recommend this video for science classes." The Maine Organic Farmer and Gardener "Well-produced and inspirational" Video Librarian "Introduces in a classroom setting the scientific component of composting. The video combines experimenting, observing, recording data and interpreting results with a description of the composting process." Resource Recycling