CO+F(2)+E(2) Brewing Organic Gardens: Benefits of Recycling Coffee

Grinds Objectives/Goals My hypothesis is used coffee grinds can be recycled, add value to improve plant growth and help the environment#but a proper ratio of coffee to soil probably is necessary for different types of plants. Methods/Materials Three tests were conducted to evaluate the effects of coffee grounds in the soil with seven varieties of plants and grass. Soil tests measuring three major nutrients (Nitrogen, Phosphorus and Potash) were completed on all soil combinations used for the project. The primary test evaluated coffee versus fertilizer versus soil only. The secondary test measured the effects different ratios of coffee to soil on the plants. The third test provided more definitive results on coffee to soil ratios using Biomass. Watering amounts were aided by using a moisture meter and Biomass was measure with a triple-beam balance scale. Results Results of the Primary test concluded that the used coffee grinds produced results better than or equal to fertilizer sticks and much better than soil only. Results of the Secondary test showed that when mixing both soil and coffee grinds together, a 1:3 ratio of coffee to soil is an optimal level for most plants. Results of the Biomass tests showed that a 1:1 ratio was a healthy mixture for grasses, and test samples with coffee and soil produced 15% to 280% more biomass. Plant varieties responded positively but with different degrees to the use of coffee grinds and the different percentages of coffee to soil mixtures. Conclusions/Discussion The plant family that benefited most was in the Violaceae family (Pansy and Viola). Coffee grinds add to both the composition of the soil and nutrients needed by the plants. Coffee is an organic by-product and

recycling it back into the earth would prevent millions of tons of used coffee grinds being dumped in our landfills. Recycling would help reduce the use of man-made fertilizers and reduce possible runoff of unused chemicals and fertilizer. I researched, tested and evaluated the contribution of the nutrients of coffee grinds for plants; the chemical changes in the soil; and the physical characteristics of the plants samples using coffee as an organic fertilizer. Parents helped with board assembly, proofreading, and driving to pick up supplies. Father supervised testing and assisted in formatting graphs. Mr. Al Remyn (Arborist) and Carlos Ruiz at Flowerdale Nursery helped with consultation and suggestions. Starbucks, Pete#s Coffee, and Deidrich#s Coffee,

What Is the Best Way to Reduce Fuel Use in Our Community?

Objectives/Goals The objective of this project was to determine how much gas could be saved in my community by having fuel-efficient cars, building shopping centers closer to home or providing an easy to use public transportation system. Methods/Materials A questionnaire was made and given to all the parents of sixth, seventh and eighth graders and all of the teachers at Quail Lake School (a rural k-8 school in Central California). The questionnaire asked respondents annual miles driven, the gas mileage of their cars, whether they would drive a less functional car that got better mileage, and how much more they would pay for a car that got significantly better mileage. It also asked whether they wanted to drive less, whether they would use public transportation if it was easy to use, and if respondents would use a shopping center built closer to their homes. Finally it asked what were the top three places people drove to. Results 96 questionnaires were distributed and 40 were returned completed. Respondents drove an average of 17,238 miles per year. Their average gas mileage was 21.1 MPG. About half the respondents would drive a less functional car that got better gas mileage and the average that people would pay for a similar car to theirs that got much better mileage was $4,500. 92% of people would like to drive less, but only 40% of respondents would ride an easy to use public transportation system. 92% of respondents would use a shopping center closer to home, but shopping was the second most frequent destination (26%) behind work (31%). Conclusions/Discussion

My conclusion was that improving the fuel efficiency of cars was the best way to reduce fuel use in my community. People were willing to pay a good deal more for more fuel efficient cars, and my background research showed that this amount could improve economy by as much as 70%. Most people were not willing to use public transportation, and moving shopping closer to home had less impact because it was not the place people drove to the most. My project is about how to reduce fuel use the most by understanding the preferences and needs of drivers in my community. My father helped find background research for this study. My mother helped mount graphs and research paper on presentation board.