LA Compost K-12 Educational Offerings

1) Grades K-5 | The Magic Soil Bus

The Magic Soil Bus Program provides an interactive mobile classroom experience, introducing students to composting as an environmental stewardship practice. Through hands-on exploration and guided discussion, students investigate what happens to food waste, how natural systems recycle materials, and how their choices impact the environment.

    • Audience: Grades K–5

    • Location: Your school campus!

    • Format: 30-minute session per class, 3-4 classes total per visit

    • Staffing: 2–3 trained LAC educators + school staff (teacher or teacher’s aide to assist with class management)

    • Vehicle Access: Bus requires an open, outdoor area with an entry clearance of 11ft height and 10ft width

    • Program Footprint: Once parked, the overall footprint of the experience is 20ft x 26ft for both outdoor and indoor activities 

  • The cost for this program is $1,500, and we offer sliding-scale pricing when needed to help accommodate schools with different budgets. When schools are able to support the full cost of the program, it helps us provide free or reduced-cost visits to Title I schools, expanding access to hands-on compost education. We’ll be happy to work with you to find an option that fits your school’s resources.

1) Grades 6-8 | A Magic Soil Day Field Trip at the Audubon Center

An immersive and educational program tailored for youth (grades 6-8) with activities designed to foster environmental awareness and hands-on soil stewardship. Students engage with different compost systems first hand and learn about the importance of reducing our food waste by participating in the compost process.

    • Audience: Grades 6-8: Minimum of 10 students to book, max 30

    • Location:Audubon Center at Debs Park, dates flexible

    • Schedule: Our field trip offering entails a 2 hour hands-on experience. Please let us know if you’d like additional access to the space before or after the activity - not guaranteed but may be accommodated.

    • Note: student transportation is not provided for any of our educational offerings.

    • Cost: $20 per student

1) Grades 9-12 | Field Trip to a Community Compost Hub

A guided, hands-on event at one of our compost hubs with staff-led stations and activities like compost sifting, turning, and site beautification. Through this experience, students form their own connections to the biological and physical aspects of decomposition by engaging with the process from start to finish. All tools and equipment are provided.

    • Audience: Grades 9-12: Minimum of 10 students to book, max 30

    • Location: One of LA Compost’s community hubs - see availability below:

    • Schedule: Our field trip offerings entail a 1.5-2 hour hands-on experience. Please let us know if you’d like additional access to the space before or after the activity - not guaranteed but may be accommodated.

    • Note: student transportation is not provided for any of our educational offerings.

    • Cost: $20 per student

Still have questions about
Youth Education Offerings?

Email learn@lacompost.org and we’ll do our best to assist you.