- Materials
- Large clear glass or plastic beakers
- Small clear glass or plastic beakers
- Potting soil
- Water
- Earthworms
- Sponges
- Black paper and tape
- Paper towels
- Flashlight
- Worm food (leafy green vegetable bits or moist bread)
- Procedure
- Place the small beaker inside the large beaker.
- Fill the space between the beakers with moistened soil.
This creates a circular column of soil.
- Wrap the outside of the beaker with the black paper and
tape it tightly. This provides a darkened environment for
the worms.
- Carefully add two earthworms to the soil.
- Add small amounts, just a few bits, of worm food.
- Cut a piece of sponge to fit the top of the container
like a cover. Moisten the sponge and place it on top of the
soil.
- Leave the worms alone for a week. Each day, touch the
sponge, without removing it, to verify that the sponge is
still moist. If not, add a small amount of water.
- After a week, remove the sponge and observe the worms
(without removing them).
- Remove the black paper and observe the worms through the
clear sides of the beaker.
- Prepare a moist paper towel bed for the worms.
- Carefully remove the worms from the soil and
place them on the paper towel. Observe its behavior.
- Observe the parts of the worm: head, tail, middle,
segments, and bristle feet. Lightly touch each part of the
worm and observe its reaction.
- Shine the flashlight on the worm and observe its
reaction.
- Observe the soil where the worms have been living.
- Conclusions
- Consider how the worm moves around in the soil. How do
its parts work together to help it survive in its
environment?
- Extension Ideas
- When finished with this activity, the worms will need a
new home. Brainstorm for the best place near the school to
"release" the worms.
- Hotlist of Related Websites
- Earthworms
- Worms
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