Students who are just being introduced to the concept of biodegradation will benefit from science projects that demonstrate the way different materials break down. Let students submerge a piece of paper and a piece of plastic into a tub of water. Allow students to write their observations of the two materials after two, 10, 30 and 60 minutes. The project gives students a chance to learn related vocabulary words and to understand that the experiment is a simulation of actual biodegredation speeds of different materials.
Science students can make charts and graphs to gain more insight into biodegradation. Allow students to do research on school-approved websites to discover the estimated length of time it takes for certain items to degrade, including paper and plastic. For example, scientists report that paper degrades completely after approximately five months. Students can compile all the research into a biodegradability prediction chart.
Items decay in different ways when buried. Give students a chance to learn more about landfills and modern waste management by experimenting with buried waste. Assemble six buckets filled with soil, then have students bury a variety of items, such as a plastic spoon, paper bag, orange peelings, a napkin, green leaf and penny. Set identical objects on top of the soil. Water the soil well, then set the buckets aside for three to 12 weeks. Have students record their observations as they dig up the items and compare them to the surface items.
Other experiments can include researching different kinds of recyclable plastic, gathering data on ecofriendly alternatives to paper and plastic, charting the amount of paper and plastic that goes to landfills each year in the students' state or researching methods that might hasten biodegradation of paper and plastics.