Author, publication and year not stated. — PP. 15-60.The following activities provide an engaging opportunity for students to learn about the important role worms play in nature. The primary goal of the activities is for students to perform the experiments and draw their own conclusions. As an extension, you may want to have students design their own experiments using the scientific method — posing an idea, forming a hypothesis, constructing an experiment, analyzing results, and presenting conclusions.
To address the negative attitudes towards worms, present the lab activities as an opportunity to learn more about a creature that is vital to recycling nutrient in the soil and helping us to grow nutritious food. You may want to pair squeamish students with others who are less concerned about working with the worms.
Following the lab descriptions are sample station cards. You might want to set these labs up at stations and have students rotate through. Allow students ample time to observe and record their findings for each lab activity.Your students will find out:
Are worms sensitive to light? Do worms have eyes?
Do worms have favorite colors?
Do worms like water?
When two worms are placed in the same area, will they move together or stay apart?
What is the average length of a worm?
Does a worm move forwards or backwards or both?
Can a worm feel?
How do worms find food?
