Working with live earthworms gives your students an exciting avenue to practice the steps in the scientific process. Younger students use their senses (no tasting allowed!) and share their observations with each other. How does the worm move? What sound does it make? Do they all look alike? How do worms react to light? How does the worm feel? Can we "x-ray" the worm to see their internal organs?

Older students will conduct a Worm Circus to test hypotheses and record data. How long is a worm? Does the worm react to different substances? How fast can a worm move? Does the type of surface affect locomotion? How does worm size affect locomotion?

Various activities with the worms give students opportunities for observing, communicating, comparing, organizing, relating, inferring, and applying. What a fun way to be a scientist!

Materials Available: Extension Youth Development Educator conducts the classroom presentation and provides worms and all materials.

Duration: Presentation takes 30-60 minutes. This program will NOT be available in the colder months of December through March.

Illinois Learning Standards: Science: 11A – Know and apply the concepts, principles and processes of scientific inquiry. 12A – Know and apply concepts that explain how living things function, adapt and change. 12B – Know and apply concepts that describe how living things interact with each other and with their environment. 13A – Know and apply the accepted practices of science. 13B – Know and apply concepts that describe the interaction between science, technology and society. Mathematics: 7A – Measure and compare quantities using appropriate units, instruments and methods. 10B – Formulate questions, design data collection methods, gather and analyze data and communicate findings. English Language Arts: 4A – Listen effectively in formal and informal situations. 4B – Speak effectively using language appropriate to the situations and audience.