Science Smarts: Get out and farm some worms this weekend

By Patty Rooks on March 20, 2021.

What a lovely week we’ve had here in southeastern Alberta. It is no wonder spring starts today!

You likely missed the official start to this great season as most of us were likely sleeping at 3:37 a.m. MST! Nonetheless, I know that this time of the year makes many of us anxious and eager to get outside and get busy in our yards. This week, we will begin an activity that will help kick start your outdoor adventures and even has the potential to help you with your garden soil all season long. Let’s get started!

Remember to ask an adult before doing this experiment

Materials

• Clear jar or small clear plastic bin

• One sheet of black construction paper

• Scissors

• Tape

• Dirt (not potting soil)

• Sand

• Worms

• Garden waste such as dry leaves, grass, vegetable scraps, twigs (NO MEAT or DAIRY)

• Water

Procedure

• Using the black construction paper, cover the bottom and sides of the container you are going to use. Cut it to size and tape securely in place.

• Place one layer of dirt on the bottom of the container about one centimetre thick.

• Sprinkle some dry “garden waste” on this layer and if the dirt is dry, moisten slightly with water.

• Pour a thin layer of sand on top of this dirt layer.

• Add another layer of dirt and garden waste.

• Repeat this order until your container is about ¾ full.

• Add the worms.

• Place your “worm farm” in a warm location away from direct sun.

• After a day or so, remove the construction paper from the container.

• Observe.

• You can keep your worm farm for a little while, but be sure to keep it moist while your worms are in there.

• Once you are done making your observations, return your worms back to the garden or soil in your yard.

• If you enjoyed your mini indoor worm farm, why not try your hand at making a composting bin also known as “vermicomposting” from red wiggler worms?

What is going on?

I think that worms are amazing dirt munching machines! You may ask why we covered the container up with black paper. Well, this was to keep the sunlight out as worms are quite sensitive to light. By keeping their environment dark, it enabled them to keep busy.

This is one of my favorite experiments as you can literally see the tunnels the worms are making in the soil through the layers you created. How do they move so well through the dirt without any legs you may wonder? Earthworms have tiny little hair like structure called setae on their bodies. As they wiggle by moving their front half forward, these little hairs anchor in the soil and pull them along. They continue to move through the soil creating tunnels as they eat the soil in front of them. I know it may be a bit disgusting but the soil is then excreted to form these tiny burrowing walls.

I could literally go on for hours about worms, and some may think I am a bit obsessed! I challenge you to do some investigating and research on your own. These tiny little organisms are pretty amazing and not to mention very useful for all of the farmers and gardeners out there!

Remember if your school is interested in doing a science fair this year, do not forget to connect with us at Praxis – we are here to help you – even virtually during the pandemic. Please keep reading here each week for more helpful ideas and even tips on science fairs.

Patty Rooks, Senior Scientific Consultant PRAXIS, “Connecting Science To The Community”. Contact Praxis at praxis@praxismh.ca, http://www.praxismh.ca, Tweet or follow us @PraxisMedHat, or friend us on Facebook. Address: #12 826 11 Street S. E., Medicine Hat, Alberta, T1A 1T7 Phone: 403.527.5365, email: praxis@praxismh.ca.

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