Case study: Swedish championship in decomposition
Photo acknowledgement: Martin Krokstorp
- Secondary, Vocational
- Outdoor
- Competition / challenge, Experiment, Hands-on activity
- Sweden
Swedish championship in decomposition
The Swedish Championship in Decomposition is an annual national competition for upper secondary students studying agriculture. Organised by the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences and The Federation of Swedish Farmers (LRF), the competition invites pupils from agricultural schools across Sweden to participate.
Objective
The competition aims to spark interest and enhance knowledge about the importance of soil health among agricultural pupils, and ways to do improve it. Through the competition, students get to learn about this in a very practical and fun way.
Approach
Following the summer break, participating teams bury two pieces of cotton cloth 10 cm underground in various soil types. After 8 weeks, the cloth is dug up to assess the decomposition progress and photographed. A jury, comprising a researcher, a teacher and a representative of LRF evaluates the submissions and selects the winning team based on their ability to articulate insights into the decomposition process. The competition encourages students to draw conclusions from their results, considering factors such as soil type and fertilizer use.
The jury’s motivation for selecting the winners of the 2021 competition highlighted how the team provided a detailed account of their expectations of the decomposition exercise. They demonstrated foresight by selecting trial sites representing extremes of soil conditions—mixed forest and bare gravel soil. Their comprehensive approach effectively illustrated significant differences in decomposition rates, highlighting the importance of caring for the health of the soil.
In addition to the competition itself, a kickoff and final event are also organised where the pupils get to meet and hear from representatives of different professions who work with agricultural issues, such as a farmer, an advisor and a researcher.
This case is interesting as it fosters critical thinking among students, prompting them to think about the factors influencing decomposition rates. As future farmers, these students play a crucial role in soil management, making their understanding of soil processes vital. The competition provides students with first-hand experience, allowing them to observe how different soil types function and reflect on the underlying reasons.