BOSON: Composting Tumbler Kit (Turning Scrapes into Soil)

The BOSON Composting Tumbler Kit is a hands-on STEM educational kit designed to teach the principles of waste reduction and the circular economy. It operates by integrating temperature and humidity sensors with a micro:bit or UNIHIKER K10 microcontroller to monitor the decomposition process of organic matter. By building a smart tumbler, students learn how technology can optimize the conversion of scraps into nutrient-rich soil. Key features include a project-based approach to responsible consumption and life on land through UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), a beginner-friendly design with a teacher-ready curriculum, and versatile platform compatibility. This kit is ideal for biology classes, STEM workshops, and school gardening programs for students aged 8 and up.

Note: This environmental kit requires a UNIHIKER K10 or micro:bit, which are sold separately. An all-in-one bundle with the UNIHIKER K10 board is also available.

Video: How to use BOSON Composting Tumbler Kit

Project-Based Learning for Climate Action

This STEM coding kit provides a scenario-based, immersive learning experience centered on UN Sustainable Development Goal 15: Life on Land and sustainable ecosystems. Students are tasked with building a functional model of a smart compost tumbler to explore how organic waste improves soil health. This approach transforms the science of decomposition into a tangible engineering project, making the benefits of recycling clear and impactful. This kit addresses real-world problems like soil degradation and landfill waste, encouraging students to think critically about sustainable waste management.

Beginner-Friendly and Curriculum-Ready

Designed for absolute beginners, this environmental kit features a highly visual, step-by-step curriculum that guides students through both the assembly and the science of composting. The included lesson plans are aligned with NGSS and CSTA standards, providing a ready-to-use resource for teaching ecosystems and energy cycles. The use of colorful, Lego-compatible BOSON modules and graphical programming makes coding easy for students to automate the tumblers, fostering creativity and scientific inquiry.

Hands-On Sensor Technology and Coding

At the core of the learning experience is the interaction with biological and electronic systems. Students learn to connect and program a Boson temperature and humidity sensor to track the internal environment of the compost. Students then write code to analyze this data, perhaps automating a motor to turn the tumbler when specific conditions are met. This process is fundamental to developing computational thinking, as students learn how to use digital tools to monitor and enhance natural biological processes.

Versatile Compatibility and Extensibility

The BOSON Composting Tumbler Kit offers broad compatibility, supporting both the micro:bit and the UNIHIKER K10 microcontrollers. This flexibility allows it to be integrated into various school technology environments. As part of the modular BOSON platform, the kit is also fully extensible. Students can add moisture sensors or fans to further refine their composting system, allowing the project to grow from a simple container into a fully automated, high-efficiency "soil factory".