May 2014
MAY 2014
M I L L I O N
D O L L A R
M I T E !
ORGANISM OF THE YEAR MITES!! Mackenzington’s values living a good life with her family. Between her many interviews with select magazines, she loves spending time with her family above ground. Margette’s children have strong ideas on how the world is a big place, filled with many pollutants and scary organisms, but also how there are other microbes working to protect the world. Since becoming a mother, Mackenzington says that she has become even more conscientious of how important her work is. Even though she now realizes the impact of her work, she barely has time to do it. For Mackenzington, being with her kids is a first. When she isn’t spending time with her growing family, she is hard at work helping her fellow mites decompose waste to help keep our world free of as many toxins as possible. Margette is an outstanding member of the mite community, between her research in creating a greener and toxin free world and the launch of her new organization. Besides being the face of Soiled’s April issue, she has been to and spoke at many press conferences and antitoxin and decomposition conventions. Besides launching her new line of composting tools, she is also working with BD Tech to develop even more efficient ways of breaking down waste.
Margette
Margette Mackenzington has been involved in many different big name companies. Recently, she decided to quit all of these wealthy organizations. She says, “ I don’t want to become a mindless corporate sellout, like many people in my position have become. I want to have time and a life to spend with my family.” Since quitting company jobs, Mackenzington has started her own small, non-profit company. Her company, called Mortox, specializes in clean, efficient decomposition. Within her company, there is a daycare where the teachers have been trained to teach the babies the importance of decomposing and how to decompose properly. With all the press on Margette, her company has flourished, letting her expand and hire more mites. The majority of the mites that work at Mortox, are volunteers. Now that her company is off and running, Mackenzington hopes to take some time off to enjoy being with her family and a part of the world. She plans on going to many places with her children in tow. She wants to just visit with family and friends and to just live for a little while. In the great words of Audrey Hepburn, “The most important thing is to enjoy your life, to be happy, it's all that matters.”
B AC T E R I A L A B
Page 3
KAT A.
This soil unit has been full
we learned about the
the control dish would be
air had about thirteen different
of exci ng and interes ng
twis ng and winding laby‐
the bacteria in the air, soil
kinds of bacteria.
bacteria labs, projects, field
rinth that helps us clear our
in the sun, shade, and mud.
trips and MUCH MORE!
mind. It took us about five
A er we decided what we
The first day of the soil
minutes to wind in and out
wanted in the petri dish,
unit, we went to the Arling‐
of the labyrinth. A er the
we could pick one natural
ton Gardens. We did many
labyrinth, we took a jour‐
material to rub on the petri
fun nature projects. With
ney to science. In science,
dish. I chose Poppy Pollen,
our English teacher we
we learned about the
Sophia K. chose mud water
read a couple of poems
different bacteria and the
and Frances F. chose a
about nature and went
different soil condi ons
flower petal.
exploring looking for a
around the world.
place to describe what we see around us, then write a poem about being out in nature. A er experiencing nature, we went to the history department, and
We thought that the mud
Within our smaller groups,
would have the most bac‐
we decided what soil and
teria. Surprisingly, air had
natural materials we
the most bacteria and mud
should put in the petri dish. We collec vely decided
Old Man Lively
that
ed with mud water at second to LAST place. Mud had about three different kinds of bacteria and the
Sophia K. Old man Lively lived in front of his TV. He watched the morning show to Jimmy Kimmel. He watched cartoons to afternoon cooking sessions. The only times he got up were to use the restroom, to microwave his meals and to find the remote to turn the TV up (he was hard of hearing). Old Man Lively believed that his time was up. “What could an old man do?” he thought. So he watched his kiddie shows and melodramas in the cushioned rocker. One morning, Old Man Lively woke from his slumbers to hear a tornado siren going off. He looked up at the cracked plaster ceiling and got up to go down to his basement. As he walked down the creaky stairs, his joints and bones cracked and whistled. “ I should really move around some more, shouldn’t I,” Old Man Lively remarked to the canned tomatoes he kept underground. He sat down, as his knees were popping and promptly fell asleep against the tomatoes. The first thing that Old Man Lively felt was the splash of water running down his forehead and into his gaping mouth. He heaved himself up with help from the stacks of cans and smacked his lips. He looked around for his easy chair and his TV. He looked for the closed blinds of the windows and the dust coated carpets. Finally, he looked up. Above him the floorboards were fractured. As he watched through one of those fractures, drips of rainfall fell from a charcoaled sky. “Huh,” he thought. Old Man Lively walked up his flooded steps. Never did he think that it was strange that the stairs were wet. Nope, he just kept climbing. There was no door at the top. There was also no house at the top, nor was there a TV or easy chair. His house had blown away with the tornado. He didn’t think this was strange either. At the top of the stairs there was dirt. Clean, fresh, deep dirt. Old Man Lively didn’t remember dirt being that color. He thought that it was black, no tan, no… his memory was really going. Old Man Lively was tired, so he sat down on the bare earth and just sat. Nothing was strange to him. Nothing was different. Mother earth became his rocker and the horizon transformed into his television. Old Man Lively grew into the earth.
Okay
MAY 2014
Decay
Frances F. There is a leaf dead , decaying, deformed, somewhere, That is home to millions. Millions o f decomposers. Millions of bacteria. Millions of mites. The world is full of mites a n d ... Soil is a h ome; a home t o millions of o rgan isms. millions of bacteria. millions o f mites. helping... D e ad plant matter decomposes little mites and bacteria, eating away. nutrients soak soil mak e it fertile...
Above me, the ozone layers are clouded with ash In the distance the tree line is my horizon The gas powered engines of the cars that race by Grumble like old men A fire’s ash not only blots out the sky But also the aroma of lavender and sage All around me, in this garden Magic takes place There are not only the webbed seed casings and vibrant pansy petals But to my right, there is a gnome lying under his bridge The garden dweller’s eye pigment has been mostly worn away His tired stone cap lists to the side Concealing his right ear I flip over on the weathered wooden bridge on which I have been crouched As I lie down, grains of sand dig into my exposed palms and knees Like little forgotten needles A lizard scurries to a refuge in the ferns I smile and know that everything will be okay
-Sophia K Part of the class of 2019 mulching in the arroyo.
Blonde Kat A. Above two blonde heads, A single blonde umbrella hovers, Speaks of the sun’s vibrant flow through the already golden locks. The absent bodies of butterflies, their shadows flying around Like leaves in fall, floating around looking for a place to Land, Darkening spots of the umbrella. Hopping from flower to flower, Each one enjoying a taste of the sweet nectar. In the distance, a girl lets her inner child come out, A slight jolt of her body while the vibration of her vocal cords unleashes a sound indescribable; this sound is called happy. She returns to her task, Withering away under the pressure of her parents. An old crow flies over the blonde umbrella, Laughing at the poor girl. A tree in the midst of multiple trees. This tree shaped like the classic story book tree. I notice the negative space between the outstretched branches The smaller branches creating shapes like Stained-glass windows suspended in the air. This particular tree is not afraid to show the world what it actually is. This tree stands out from the other trees. With its red bark, And stunning, vibrant, green leaves. Both colors working together. This tree doesn’t sway along to the rhythm of the wind, Standing tall, barely moving. The soft smell of eucalyptus, layers of mint and rose. Silent nature, Until the teacher calls everyone to go. One blonde head wakes up to the soft breeze rustling the bushes. The other head Wakes up and realizes she is… Me.
I am from Earth as Earth is from Me By Frances F. I am from Earth as Earth is from me. I grew from it and will seep back into it. I will help the grass grow, which will help the cows, which will help the people, which I hope is good. Or I may help a small seedling, grow into a giant oak, where a red Robin will come and make a home; where a Brown Squirrel will come and find a nut; where a woodpecker will come and peck out a hole; where an owl will come and have a family. I will become one with plants, with nature, with animals, with your grandchildren, and your great-grandchildren, and my grandchildren, and my great-grandchildren. Kat A., Izzy K. and Salome A. resting during their Break.
What’ Soil organism are You? 1. Would you rather vacation A) Country B) Mountains C) City D) Forest 3. What’s your favorite fruit? A) Nope, nope, I hate fruit! B) Bananas C) Grapes D) Strawberries 5. What’s your favorite type of music? A) Jazz B) Rock C) Classical D) Pop
2. What’s your favorite color? A) Purple B) Green C) Black D) Blue 4. What’s your favorite Movie? A) She’s the Man B) Gravity C) Mean Girls D) Pocahontas RESULTS!!!! If you got: Mostly A’s– You are a MOLE!!! Mostly B’s– You are a Mite!!!! Mostly C’s– You are an Ant !!!! Mostly D’s– You are an Earthworm!!!
Jokes: 1.What do you call it when worms take over the world? 2. What do moles learn in school? 3. What do you call a 100 year old ant?
Answers key: (1) Global Worming, (2) Moletiplication, (3) Antique
Throw away When we let a balloon Rise to the heavens Where does it go? Does it pass into the hands of the clouds And become gloves and socks for their young Does it just rise through the ozone layers And get lost in the oblivion No, it pops The vessel of floating air pops And the plastic frame falls to into the arms of earth It falls to the lions and polar bears and butterflies It falls to the parrots and worms and clown fish Death falls from the sky in a colorful bubble
Final ResƟng Place Kat A. Backdoor closed, Front door closed. Isolated from the remainder of the family. Everyone inside, Expressing emo ons I am not able to express any longer. Knowing exactly how I wanted to be sent off in the magical journey called a er life, I chose to be put to sleep in the soil. This earth, North America, U.S.A.,
A popped balloon is like a poisonous plant painted in vibrant colors The earth is a canvas of trash Colored in old sprite bottles, straws, and Dorito bags A rainbow of spreadsheets, Styrofoam cups, and paper scraps The things that we throw away Aren’t thrown away They pass into the oceans and rivers To join the armies of trash They float and are intercepted Animals are dying Plants are dying Are we going to die too? We can’t throw this world away because where would we go.
California, San Gabriel, Pasqual Ave. 308 Pasqual Ave., Backyard, The compost bin. “Bacteria, mold, fungi, mites, worms, moles, rollie pollies will do me good. Will do you good. Will do all of us good. Soil is the base of all life. Soil is in us, is in you, and me. Soil is you, and will soon be me.” I remember when I stated that three days ago, Three days before my death.
-Sophia K.
Many didn’t understand my decision to have my final res ng place be the soil. Many didn’t understand the significance of soil, Many didn’t understand how this is a good thing. Many don’t, and will never understand. I will physically become a part of the world. In a different way than living, I will be the newest natural addi on to Horizon A. Then in 200 years, I will be Horizon B,
Summer, Micaela, Caroline, and Sophia K. Posing after completing there work.
And in 500 more years, I will be Horizon C, Then and only then I will be in my final res ng place.
Siƫng in the Garden By Frances F. The metal bench was burning set on fire by the sunlight seeping through an archway of flowers. Car engines rev in the distance while birds sing overhead. There is a tree across from where I sit. It is tall and has good posture, reminding me to change mine. A fountain flows behind me surrounded by flowers, like my friends surround me, protec ng me from harm and suppor ng me in mes of need. I enjoy this moment, si ng here alone surrounded by nature; life’s too short not to.
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LETTERS FROM THE EDITORS Dear Reader, Throughout this unit, we (as a class) have learned a lot about soil and what a big impact it has on ALL of us. We learned how soil supports us, gives us a place to live, lets many organisms live in it, allows all plants and most of our food grow. We have learned how the different bacteria, fungi, mold, mites, and all these lovely but very discussing decomposers help the soil and help us. Soil supports all life; it helps so many different things. Without soil, we wouldn’t be here and none of our buildings would be here! Over the many years humans have been on this earth, we have trashed it SO much. We have releasing so many poisonous gasses and items into this world and our planet can’t get rid of it fast enough. Thankfully the soil is able to do that and all the critters and decomposers that live in the soil can do that too. Over thousands and thousands of years soil has devolved three layers. There is horizon A (the top layer of soil, most fertile and darkest) horizon B (the middle layer of soil, the second fertile and the medium brown) and finally horizon C (the bottom level of soil, least fertile and the lightest color) under the three layers of soil, lies bedrock. Through weathering and erosion, the bedrock started to chip away and breakdown, with further weathering the smaller bedrock got broken down further and created a dust like substance. That created horizon A and then pioneer plants moved in, creating a fertile layer (A) and a least fertile layer (C). Pioneer plants would die and decomposers would move in and make a top layer more fertile, creating three layers. After the decomposers would decompose things, and three different layers of soil, more and more complex plants could move in creating a forest. Horizon A is the most benefit of all soil because it is the most fertile and can grow complex plants. The decomposers (such as, mites, fungi, mold, bacteria, bugs, worms, and many more) decompose the dead organic matter (leaves that have fallen to the ground, dead animals, dead plants, etc.) and they make the soil more fertile and easier to work with. I think that a lot of the class was baffled at the amount of chemicals that people put into our food to preserve it and to keep the bugs away. I didn’t know that the soil could decompose some of the pollutants, but sadly not all of the pollutants. I have encouraged my parents to buy only organic food. I have always told my mom to buy non-caged eggs but I never really knew why we should buy organic food until the soil unit! The biggest thing that surprised me this unit was running into a snake while weeding. It was probably the scariest moment of my life so far. J We at TMT find soil and all its critters important to our world. Soil is quickly disappearing and this is because of weathering. We want our soil to be fertile and healthy so it can grow plants and our food. I hope that throughout this unit, you and I have learned a lot about soil! Best wishes, Kat A.
Dear Reader, Being a part of the soil unit has changed the way that I think of soil and also of how we consume from the soil. Before hand, I never realized how many microorganisms actually live in the soil, nor could I fully understand how corn and corn syrup is in everything. Through out the unit, I have learned about everything from mites to soil structure, mulching to erosion. I have learned to be more independent and to make my own decisions regarding my class work. I have been able to pursue and reflect upon what I have learned and I believe that this has made me a better consumer and better human being in regards to how I think of soil. During the soil unit, we have been able to have more freedom in regards to how we want to com-
of incredibly detailed worksheets. We have been able to grow together and work as one to complete what needs to be done. For me, my favorite parts of the soil unit have been the mulching and working in our own mini groups. Besides being incredibly fun, mulching gave us a chance to work together to complete a job. As a whole we were able to spread the mulch around, therefore protecting and enriching the trees. With the help of the mulch, the oaks and other native plants should be able to grow and also be somewhat protected from the California drought. Working in our little groups has also been a blast. Working with Kat and Frances has been so much fun. It has been great formulating ideas and illustrations, not to mention the character we created for the organism of the year component of this magazine. The soil unit has not only been incredibly informative, but it has also been exciting and filled with surprises. Doing this type of work with mother earth has been enlightening and I will never think of the soil in the same way again. -Sophia K
Dear Reader, I know you probably think soil is boring and why anyone would want to do a whole unit on it is madness to you. Well, a week ago, I would have agreed. But now? Not so much. Let me tell you about soil; it’s actually pretty exciting. First of all, soil is the skin of the earth. It is made up of three horizons; the A horizon, or top soil, the B horizon, and the C horizon. Out of these three layers, the A horizon is most important. It is made up of organic matter, which contains all the nutrients required to grow plants. Soil also is home to many small organisms, supports the foundations of buildings, and regulates water movement. All of our food depends on soil. Without it, no crops would grow, or forests, or anything really. Without food we would die, as you probably know. Soil is a preserver too. Many objects and sites of archaeological importance have been preserved by it. Soil is also the foundation to many of our buildings. Architects must know what type of soil they are working on to ensure that the building won’t topple over. But we are creating so many towns and cities that soil is being sealed away, probably never to be used again for anything. That leads me to the fact that topsoil is disappearing. Organic matter (dead plant remains such as leaves fallen off of trees) that makes up topsoil is being used up fast and isn’t being replaced. Our way of farming uses the entire crop and leaves nothing to be decomposed and soak back into the soil to provide nutrients for the next crop. This breaks the nutrient cycle and makes the soil unable to produce more crops and plants. In turn, that makes the farmers have to buy chemical fertilizers, which doesn’t work at all. All this, and more, I have learned from my experience in the Soil Unit. We did so many things to teach us lots about soil. For example, we had a day of gardening in which professional gardeners came to our school to help us with our campus. We made food scrap tubes which had worms in them. When the food scraps had decomposed, the nutrients would go directly into the earth according to John who was one of the professional gardeners. We also weeded the schools herb garden, planted flowers that would help moisturize the dry ground, and made seed balls. This experience will stick with me for a long time, and I will always remember how important soil is to this earth. Your loving editor, Frances F