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Activity 3: Worming your way out of the garbage problemThe purpose of this activity is to give students the opportunity to
Length and implementation of activityPart 1 involves a Net search for information on worm farms and should take no more than 60 to 70 minutes. Part 2 involves constructing a worm farm and evaluating its success. Use scraps from the cafeteria or tuckshop; the vermicasts can be used on the school's garden beds. This could make a good science fair project or a project done in conjunction with a program such as 'Junior Achievers' who would market the products of the worm farm. A minimum of 2 to 3 months should be allowed to see reasonable results, but best results will be achieved after 6+ months. This activity can be done in groups of 3 or 4. A minimum starting population of 500 worms is desirable for faster results, but smaller populations can be used. Red, blue or tiger worms can be obtained from any local worm farm or even the local supermarket. Some civic-minded worm farmers (check your phone book for names of worm farmers) may offer to donate worms and/or come to the school to talk about worm farming with the students. Worksheets (2 pages) are provided for Part 1 to guide students in recording their answers (these are probably best printed out ahead of time); or students can simply record answers in their notebooks. Teachers NotesStudent NotesPart 1Part 2Worksheets are provided forPart 1SafetyStudents should be warned of hygiene issues, including the need to wear rubber gloves when handling garbage and vermicasts and the need to wash hands.
ReferencesClarke, Ron. Never Say Never: Couran Cove Resort from dream to reality. The Couran Cove Resort Environmental Research Trust. 1999. Murphy, David. Earthworms in Australia: blueprint for a better environment.
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