Work in a group to design, build & code your own compost tumbler prototypes using the Climate Action Kit! Think about what features the tumbler should have to be most helpful for a Waste Management Specialist.

Digital graphic illustration of a Waste Management Specialist moving waste and recyclables.
What does a Waste Management Specialist do? Check out their Career Profile!

As you go through the steps below, you may wish to use our Design Journal Template to keep track of your work.

Journal Template
An icon of a magnifying glass, a paper with notes, and a brain.

Step 1

Research different examples of compost tumblers.

Icons of a light bulb, a thought bubble, and a pencil.

Step 2

Plan what features your tumbler will have and decide what building blocks, sensors, smart components, and craft materials you will need for building.

icons of 3 building blocks (cube, corner connector, and short frame)

Step 3

Build your prototype, then connect it to Microsoft MakeCode to add code.

Icons of code blocks.

Step 4

Test and debug until the device works.

SUCCESS CRITERIA

I can build a compost tumbler prototype with the Climate Action Kit that:

  • spins to mix the compost when it is sunny
  • switches between spin and rest stages
  • uses LEDs or sounds to show which part of the composting cycle is happening

and uses at least:

  • one solar sensor
  • one motor

Don’t feel limited by this. You can get creative and add more features if you would like!

Let’s Build!