Check out the worm bin!
Check out some of the worms!
| BIG IDEA 8: Decomposers and scavengers feed on the matter in nature's waste. They move matter and carry out the process of decomposition. Vocabulary:
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Investigation:
Set up decomposition cups to discover what effect worms will have on the decomposition of plant remains over approximately five days.
Looking at our materials, how should we set up our experiment to explain that earthworms decompose the matter in nature's waste? What will be our specific procedure?
Follow the procedure outlined on the Decomposition Cups Lab sheet.
Why do you think one cup has worms in it and one cup doesn't?
Directions:
Set up decomposition cups to discover what effect worms will have on the decomposition of plant remains over approximately five days.
Looking at our materials, how should we set up our experiment to explain that earthworms decompose the matter in nature's waste? What will be our specific procedure?
Follow the procedure outlined on the Decomposition Cups Lab sheet.
Why do you think one cup has worms in it and one cup doesn't?
Directions:
- Every group gets five composting worms to put into their cup labeled, "Worms" (Wear gloves and/or wash hands.)
- Make your prediction and record your initial observations about what will happen on your blog according to the directions in the PDF above.
- Cover your cups with plastic wrap and put them into the paper bag to ensure a moist, dark environment for the worms. Make sure you have labeled the paper bag with your group name on it and today's date.
- Bring your bag to the spot in the room we designated for these. Check on your worms every few days and spray them with water, but don't disturb them for a week or so.
- In a week or two, we will follow the rest of the directions in the PDF.
Read about Earthworms to understand what makes composting worms different from other earthworms.