Georgia elementary classes in third through fifth grades are invited to enter the Fall 2024 STEM Challenge, "Turning Trash into Treasure," to put their science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) skills to work. Special education classes, homeschool groups, and community or after-school groups with third through fifth-grade students are also encouraged to participate.

Elementary classes taking part in this challenge will explore the process of composting and learn how it helps reduce food waste. Students will create their own compost bins and observe the breakdown of organic waste into nutrient-rich soil. As part of the challenge, students will document their observations in journals, noting the changes in the compost and the environmental benefits of the process.                                                                                     

Teachers, homeschool parents, or after-school group leaders interested in participating in the "Turning Trash into Treasure" challenge may visitwww.gfb.ag/stemchallenge for more information and to register for the program by Oct. 1.                                         

Once registered, teachers will receive instant access to a digital resource toolkit to equip their classes for participation in the STEM challenge. The top winner from the third, fourth, and fifth-grade entries will win a prize package totaling $350 for their class.                                       

Each participating class will be asked to answer the question: "Why is composting important, and how do brown and green materials break down differently?"                                   

The STEM challenge asks participating classes to complete the provided lesson plan and activities, then create a video presentation—no longer than five minutes—that demonstrates what students have learned about composting. Class presentations must be uploaded to YouTube for judging by Nov. 22.                                                                                                                  

"We developed this STEM challenge to help students understand how composting reduces food waste and enriches soil," said GFA Educational Programs Assistant Phoebe Beard. "By observing how different materials break down in compost bins, students get a hands-on lesson in sustainability."   

The purpose of the challenge is to encourage elementary teachers and students in grades 3-5 to apply their STEM skills to real-world issues in food production and environmental sustainability while having fun learning.

The statewide competition, sponsored by the Georgia Farm Bureau (GFB) and the Georgia Foundation for Agriculture (GFA), is part of the GFA's Georgia Ag Experience mobile classroom outreach program. After being previously offered as a year-long challenge, it’s now back in a biannual format.