Today's Mission - Build a worm farm!

How do worms help humans? Worms help break down or "decompose" waste and deposit nutrients back into the soil. They eat things like garbage or dead things and... we'll there is no delicate way to say this... poop it out. Their bodies help break down the nutrients that plants need to grow. Vermicomposting is the term for a worm farm and it is today's activity.

Materials needed: 1 recycled container such as a soda bottle. Dirt (2-3 cups per worm) Composting items (link) Measuring spoons Water (less than 1/2 cup)

Skills to practice: Measuring Classifying (what a worm can and cant eat) Animal Care Prediction and observation

Modifications: For younger children a parent may have to make the worm farm, but the child can dig for the worms Older children can record their worm observations over a 2 week period

INSTRUCTIO

Step 1- Find a suitable container and place holes in. Soda bottles work best WITHOUT the cap. Again, worms must be able to get air. Step 2- rip up small pieces of newspaper or printer paper to cover the bottom of the container (absorbs extra water)

Step 3- Measure a 1-2" layer of moist dirt and add it to the container. Next add a fine layer of shredded leaves, grass or cardboard. Cover this with another 2-3" of dirt. *Note: works can eat rocks so leave those out. Step 4- Add some small compositing items such as fruit or vegetable peels. Worms love crushed egg shells or tea bags too. Cover this will another 1-2".

Step 5- Make sure your soil is moist by adding some water. Not too much, just enough to help soften the soil. It will be your responsibility to check the soil each day to observe if more water and compostable worm food is needed. Step 6- Add 1 to 2 worms. They like darkness so store them someplace dark, but remember they need air! Check your worms every day to see if their soil needs to be moistened or to add more worm food. After 2 weeks, release your worms into a park or garden. You're a worm farmer now!

Calling all Jr. Mad Scientists! Show us what you've learned by sharing your project with us. Email a photo (with caption) or video (30 seconds or less) to info@madsciencenorthboston.com with the subject JR MAD SCIENTIST . You could be selected as our daily Mad Scientist and featured on our social media feed.

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