Worms provide a critical function in the food production process and they are an invaluable member of the Edible Learning Lab team. Worm farms are the last stop for the inedible parts of the plants we produce in the Lab. The worms recapture nutrients from the brown leaves, stems, and root balls that would otherwise find their way to the landfill.

So your mission should you choose to accept it is to design a bigger, better…worm farm. This DIY project should give students a better understanding of the functionality and result in a locally made version using materials that are readily available in any hardware or garden store.

Discuss the function that each design element serves and determine how that same function might be made more efficient with materials you source locally.

Use grid paper or sketch software to capture and refine your bigger, better design. Then build it with locally sourced materials. Don’t hesitate to ask for help with the construction process from your school’s shop class.