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Creative earthworm STEM activity

This original earthworm STEM activity helps students design and test a soil sample to see how well their worm can create tunnels. Students will test dry and wet soil. Students use materials to simulate the soil, such as dried beans, dried quinoa, baking soda, candies and more. This earthworm STEM challenge was designed and tested at TheBrainy-STEM Lab at The Homeschool Scientist.
Prep Time20 minutes
Active Time45 minutes
Keyword: STEM activity

Materials

  • 1 Bag of dried beans black beans, kidney beans, large lima beans, etc.
  • 1 Spray bottle with water
  • 1/2 cup water
  • 1 plastic container, preferably clear. We used a recycled clam shell container that held Campari tomatoes! :) See the printable for other notes.
  • 1 Foil or metal cookie sheet to protect the work surface
  • Activity worksheets from free printable
  • Pencil
  • Other "soil" items like little round candies, rice, sugar, baking soda, flour, dried quinoa The dried quinoa was a fun addition. Provide a variety for students to choose from. If doing this with more than 1 student you can then compare results.

Instructions

  • Read through the information in the printable packet that covers how earthworms move and survive. Then, review the pre-activity information and questions.
  • Review the materials on hand and select the materials you will use to make the layers of your soil sample. Then, determine the order of your layers.
    earthworm STEM activity ingredients
  • Build your soil sample, one layer at a time.
    earthworm STEM activity partial layering of soil sample
  • Select one gummy worm and assign a person to keep time and the person who will move the gummy through the soil layers to the bottom using the eraser side of a pencil.
    earthworm STEM activity gummies used
  • Press the gummy worm into the and through the soil sample. The person timing should start and stop when their partner stops and starts. Record the time it took.
    earthworm STEM activity pressing the worm down in the soil to make a tunnel
  • Spray 12 - 15 pumps of water over the entire surface of your soil surface.
    earthworm STEM activity use 12 to 15 pumps
  • Press a second gummy worm into the soil sample and record the time and any observations. Was it more difficult to move through the soil?
  • Spray the same number of pumps over the soil surface again. Press a third gummy into the soil. Record the time and observations.
  • Nest, measure 2/3 cup of water. Pour it over the entire surface of the soil sample. You may need to use more if you used a container that is larger than 6" wide by 5" high.
  • Let the soil sample sit for three minutes to let the water soak in.
  • Push a fourth gummy bear through the soil sample to the bottom. Record the time and your observations.
  • Answer all of the post-activity questions, including the timing questions on the datasheet. If you did this as a group and have multiple soil samples, compare results.

Notes