Seventh-Grade Earthworm Experiments
Earthworms are intricate creatures whose main purpose is to "plow the soil." They excrete nitrogen-rich droppings, or castings, that help to keep soil in optimal condition for planting. Seventh-grade earthworm experiments center around studying the behavior and responses of earthworms and how their behaviors depend on environmental conditions.
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Actions and Adjustments
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In this group experiment, students examine the behavior and adaptions of earthworms in several environments. Students observe the earthworms and record the worms' reactions when they are subjected to lights, odors and moisture.
Build a Terrarium
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Observe earthworms in their environment by building a terrarium. This experiment allows the students to remove earthworms from their natural environment by building them an artificial environment. While the worms are in the terrarium, students can experiment with how they react to environmental stimuli and observe how earthworms plow the soil.
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Listen to the Earthworm
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They may be tiny creatures, but it's possible to hear an earthworm. The noise that earthworms make is caused by tiny hooks or claws on the bottom of the earthworm that help it to crawl through the soil. Students can place the earthworms on a piece of paper, watch them crawl and listen to the sounds of the earthworm.
Explore the Senses
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Humans have five essential senses: hearing, sight, touch, taste and smell. This experiment examines whether earthworms see, taste and feel. To test if they can taste or feel, students place the earthworms in both sand and dirt and observe how they move. Then they add vinegar to the soil and watch how earthworms react to the taste. To test earthworms' sight, various forms of light are used and the earthworms' behavior observed.
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References
Resources
- Photo Credit Earthworms image by Ana Dudnic from Fotolia.com
