"Worm Wigwam" debuts in biology classroom

A new Worm Wigwam was installed in biology instructor Alexis Grinde's biology classroom/lab the week of June 8. The wigwam holds thousands of worms and is used to demonstrate the value and efficiency of composting.

"The Wigwam was purchased with biology money and serves to demonstrate chemical processes and nutrient cycling," Grinde said. "Plus, as an added benefit, the Ever Green Club is able to point to this as a premier example of composting," Grinde added.

In its mere two weeks in residence at Pine Technical College, the Wigwam already has composted more than 120 pounds of garbage and leftovers from the Student Lounge cafeteria. The worms eat about 30 pounds of food per day, such as fruit rinds. The Wigwam is an economical, odorless, vermicomposting system powered by worms.

In the diagram above (from www.wormwigwam.com), bedding and material are alternately layered by adding new layers on top. The worms continuously rise to feed on fresh layers, leaving a rich mixture of castings humus, worm cocoons, microorganisms and organic material in varying stages of decomposition behind. The end result -- the nutrient-rich vermicompost -- may eventually be reused as a form of garden fertilizer.

On top of bringing educational and environmental benefits, the Wigwam brings PTC financial benefits since the College pays less for waste removal services due to the work of the worms.

New furniture, more outlets in Student Lounge

Thanks to the Student Senate, the student lounge is equipped with more electrical outlets and is furnished with new, plush seating and endtables.

The seats come in shades of burgundy, blue, gray and gold and are arranged in the front lobby and throughout the lounge near the big-screen TV and in other locations.

With the additional electrical outlets and seating, the busy lounge will be even more busy this summer semester and fall. Many thanks to the Student Senate!

Alum donates valuable firearms to gunsmithing program

Pine Technical College alumnus and four-time World Champion Skeet Shooter Ed Schultz donated five firearms valued at more than $2,500 to the gunsmithing department. The firearms will be used by current gunsmithing students at various school-sponsored sporting events and Shooter's Association events.

"I learned so much from the gunsmithing courses I took at Pine Technical College, and it's nice I'm able to give back to the program in this way," Schultz said. "The firearms I donated are out of production, which makes them prime candidates for study and repair," Schultz added.

The gunsmithing department at Pine Technical College offers a certificate program, an advanced gunsmithing diploma program and beyond that, a prototyping diploma. All students, as part of the curriculum, build their own custom rifle. Additionally, students are trained in diverse areas such as woodworking, machining, manufacturing and business.