Schandra Madha: From Compost to Community in Connecticut

Videos

Grades9, 10, 11, 12, APEarth and Space Sciences, Health, Career Skills

Scientist Reviewed

Provided by Project Drawdown

Open Resource

What it is

This video and discussion questions explore Schandra Madha's work with a community composting system and farm in New Haven, Connecticut, waste management challenges within the city, and why community engagement improves societal health and self-validation.
Students will listen to Schandra's story and discuss mental health, identity, and creative solutions.
Schandra is a role model for students from queer or Muslim backgrounds.

Teaching tips

Positives

Schandra has an interesting background and story that will inspire students to persevere.
In the interview, the two speakers thoughtfully discuss the concept of environmental justice.

Additional Prerequisites

It may help students to understand how compost functions as a carbon sink and its other benefits.
It may benefit students to understand the issues and challenges the LGBT+ community faces.

Differentiation

This video can accompany a brainstorming session where students consider different ways to fight climate change at the community level.
Teachers can use this video as a conceptual introduction to environmental justice.
This resource can support research and a discussion where students consider composting in their community.
This video can enhance a lesson on the need for city-supported composting efforts.

From the scientist review

This resource from Project Drawdown provides a ~11-minute video about composting and how it has brought a community together. The video follows narrator Schandra Madha's personal story and efforts to bring composting to the community. Discussion questions and links to learn more and take action are also provided.

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At a glance

Grades: 9, 10, 11, 12, AP
Subjects: Earth and Space Sciences, Health, Career Skills
Other types: Activity - Classroom
Language: English
Location: North America, North America > United States, North America > United States > Connecticut
Provider: Project Drawdown
Authors: Project Drawdown
Published: January 11, 2024
Last updated: July 16, 2026
: Reviewed by our climate scientists How we review

Standards alignment · 1.12.2 + 6 more

Core

National Health Education Standards

1.12.2Describe the interrelationships of emotional, intellectual, physical, and social health.
1.12.3Analyze how environment and personal health are interrelated.

Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS)

HS-LS2-7.Design, evaluate, and refine a solution for reducing the impacts of human activities on the environment and biodiversity.

New Jersey Climate Education Hub

Comprehensive Health & Physical Education

2.1.12.CHSS.1:Analyze the opportunities available at home, in school, and in the community to support the mental health of oneself or an individual.

English Language Arts

SL.PE.9-10.1Initiate and participate effectively in a range of collaborative discussions (one-on-one, in groups, and teacher-led) with peers on grades 9-10 topics, texts, and issues, building on others' ideas and expressing their own clearly and persuasively.
SL.II.11–12.2Integrate multiple sources of information presented in diverse formats and media (e.g., visually, quantitatively, orally) in order to make informed decisions and solve problems, evaluating the credibility and accuracy of each source and noting any discrepancies among the data.
SL.ES.11-12.3Evaluate a speaker's point of view, reasoning, and use of evidence and rhetoric, assessing the stance, premises, links among ideas, word choice, points of emphasis, and tone used.

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What it is

Teaching tips

From the scientist review

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