Kate Kinsey is a junior at New York University juggling both the environmental studies and metropolitan studies programs. For the past six months, she has interned at the Lower East Side Ecology Center as an environmental education Intern. (LESEC serves Manhattan's composting needs through the Department of Sanitation funded Manhattan Compost Project.) After learning about the compost education program, she decided that the Master Composter Program would be a great way to learn more about composting and to communicate that knowledge to the community.
Q. Kate, with how many Worm Corps workshops have you been involved? What is it about them that keeps you coming back to do more?
A. At this point, I cannot even recall the amount of "wormshops" that I've taught. I would have to say that the positive feedback that I get after teaching the workshops keeps me coming back. The design of these workshops impacts the way that people think about their waste. After the workshop, people are always grateful for the knowledge that they receive and are enthusiastic to start composting. I think that composting is a great and easy way to reduce waste... and I love teaching other people about it.
Q. How do you gauge the developmental and age appropriateness of your material during your presentations? In way ways would your presentation vary depending on age and understanding?
A. The presentation definitely varies depending on age and understanding. For young children, I think that talking about red wiggler worms that make compost out of organic material like food scraps is the best avenue to take in order to peak their interest. Also, this is the easiest and simplest way to teach kids about the composting process. These children do not want to hear about the nitrogen cycle. They want to play with worms! So, the presentation needs to be gauged accordingly. Adults, on the other hand, are much more interested in the actual science behind composting and the environmental impact that results from composting. During these workshops, I will present more of the science of the composting process.
Q. What has the response been to these Worm Corps presentations—both by the kids and the adults in attendance?
A. These presentations have been accepted by both the kids and adults. This is in part due to the fact that people attending these workshops are usually environmentally-minded people who are interested in learning about composting. However, people that go into the workshop with no knowledge of composting also leave with a great deal of understanding and interest in the process.
Q. How have various educational communities and youth venues proven unique? What special needs have you found that are met in different ways?
A. I usually underestimate the knowledge that children actually have. When I enter a classroom, it is always a pleasant surprise to learn that the children know the basics of composting. This allows me to go into more detail about certain aspects of the process and leads to lively discussion. Other than that I think that the only special need that should be considered when teaching these workshops is age. You definitely have to play to the audience in order to get more people interested in composting.
Q. What kind of impact are you having? Do feel you are making a difference?
A. Composting is a foreign concept to most people—especially those living in New York City who have very little connection to the natural environment. People do not realize the amount of waste that they produce and the impact that this waste has on the environment. I think that composting outreach is very important in order to get people educated about the growing waste problem and teach people about a great way to reduce their waste. I definitely feel that I am making a difference through these workshops.
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