1. Compost Column Does changing the amount of air make a difference in decomposition? Question :

2. Compost Column I think that more air will make the decomposers healthier and they will decompose the lettuce faster. Hypothesis :

3. Compost Column Dirt Bottles Water Air Lettuce Test Materials :

4. Compost Column Build the columns Put in dirt, water & lettuce Poke holes in one of the columns Put the columns in a warm place. Wait, watch and take notes Test Method :

5. Compost Column The lettuce leaves in the column without the holes seemed to be clearer than the leaves in the bottle with the holes. We also noticed that the bottle with holes was not touching the water in the bottom. First Observation : (1 week)

6. Compost Column In the column with holes we saw that there was dry lettuce on the top. We saw some lettuce stuff in the middle and no lettuce on the bottom. Second Observation : (2 weeks)

7. Compost Column In the column without holes we could not see any lettuce at all. We dumped out the two columns and looked closely for lettuce. We still couldn’t find any in the one without holes. Second Observation : (2 weeks)

8. Compost Column In the column with holes we found parts of lettuce down two thirds of the way from the top. The bottom of the one without holes was wetter than the other. Second Observation : (2 weeks)

9. Compost Column In the column with holes we think that the air made the dirt drier. Since the dry dirt stopped the lettuce from decomposing as fast then we think that the air made a difference. But, not in the way we thought it would be. Conclusion :

10. Compost Column We think that the decomposers like the wet dirt better than the dry dirt. In the dry dirt some of the decomposers got sick and some of them died and in the wet dirt they were happy and healthy so they ate more. Conclusion :

11. Compost Column Setting up the Column

12. Compost Column Day Three

13. Compost Column Week One

14. Compost Column Week Two - Dissection

15. Compost Column Dad, Jim Werner Science Assistant -Camera -Video Editing Jamison Werner Camera -Director Karen Werner Teacher -Facilities -Manager Special Thanks :