Worm Digest - Re:help with science fair ideas

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thewormguys
User

A Juvenile Earthworm

Posts: 55

help with science fair ideas - 2007/08/29 07:52 We are new to vermiculture and this forum. We started raising ENs last May 2007 with the intent to sell them to local fishermen. I say "we" because it was my sons idea that got me started. Since then I have gone to every site possible doing research on the best way to raise them. I've learned a lot about raising them and have passed that information onto my sons. We have sold about 2 dozen and used about 3 dozen for fishing ourselves.
We have lots of babies and a bunch of parents still.
Well my son (the one that got me started in the first place) asked me last night "How can I use what I know about worms in a science fair project?"

So I started researching it on the web. I see where people mention doing vermiculture for science fairs but not with any details. I thought I would ask if any of you have done it or have any suggestions? He only has 20 days to show results.

Thanks,
Rob

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wellsworms

User

A Protected Species Earthworm

Posts: 514

Re:help with science fair ideas - 2007/08/29 10:58

better hurry up

how about a story board showing a pair of worms 'doin it'

next a short history of worms then his own story and some pictures of the operation oh an a cost vs profit sheet

ps the pictures are all on the internet just go look

Post edited by: wellsworms, at: 2007/08/29 11:02 FEED IT TO THE WORMS
WELLS,vermont
jerry walker 2008

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vermiman

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A Mature Breeder Earthworm

Posts: 93

Re:help with science fair ideas - 2007/08/29 17:48 He could bring a small bin with bedding and worms. He could demonstrate different feeding techniques and explain the pros and cons of different bedding material. He could also give the dos and don'ts in food stuffs. Explain the benefits of using worm castings in the garden.

Post edited by: vermiman, at: 2007/08/29 17:49 It's Black Gold!! It's Squirmy Tea!!

John 3:16
Acts 2:21

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thewormguys
User

A Juvenile Earthworm

Posts: 55

Re:help with science fair ideas - 2007/08/30 06:23 Thanks for your ideas. I have seen a lot of web sites that say use our supplies for science fair projects but none explain how.
I would like to ask another question.
What would be killing my worms? In the last week I have found partly eaten worms. The worm box is in the basement. There are a bunch of little black flies (fruit flies?) and I am having an on going battle with sweet ants that took up home in the box. One site said that ants eat the worms. Is this true?
I guess I asked more than one question.
Thanks again...

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vermiman

User

A Mature Breeder Earthworm

Posts: 93

Re:help with science fair ideas - 2007/08/30 11:25 Yes ants can eat worms. To help control ants you can keep the bedding more on the damper side. Too wet can kill the worms. You could also keep the bin on a table where the legs are set in tuna cans filled with water. I have my worms in a pit outside. It seems like I have some ants living with my worms. It doesn't seem like the ants are slowing the population explosion of the worms at all. It's Black Gold!! It's Squirmy Tea!!

John 3:16
Acts 2:21

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Marshall

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A Protected Species Earthworm

Posts: 138

Re:help with science fair ideas - 2007/08/31 08:39 thewormguys wrote:

Well my son (the one that got me started in the first place) asked me last night "How can I use what I know about worms in a science fair project?"

Thanks,
Rob

You could ask your son to write what he knows and post it right here in the forum. That way we will all learn something.

Regards,
Marshall Age and treachery will always overcome youth and skill

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slim7309
User

A Juvenile Earthworm

Posts: 74

Re:help with science fair ideas - 2007/09/04 20:50 Vermiman, What type of pits do you have like how deep & what type of worms do you have in the pit.. I dug a 6ftx2ftx2ft deep and I was told just fill it up with compost & manure.. I built a wooden bin that I was going to put into the hole but I changed my mind & now I have this hole that I'm not sure what I'm going to do with it yet.. Slim

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WFike

User

A Protected Species Earthworm

Posts: 224

Re:help with science fair ideas - 2007/09/04 22:27 Sounds more like a mouse or something. Is the bed open so things can get in it? Put something sweet outside near the bid to pull the ants out of the bed and mabye set a mouse trap. A plate with some syrup on it will attract them, then when the plate is full flush them with hot water.

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vermiman

User

A Mature Breeder Earthworm

Posts: 93

Re:help with science fair ideas - 2007/09/05 11:14 slim7309 wrote:
Vermiman, What type of pits do you have like how deep & what type of worms do you have in the pit.. I dug a 6ftx2ftx2ft deep and I was told just fill it up with compost & manure.. I built a wooden bin that I was going to put into the hole but I changed my mind & now I have this hole that I'm not sure what I'm going to do with it yet.. Slim

I started vermicomposting in Feb. My pit is 6X3X3 it's lined with garden plastic with gravel in the bottom. At first the bedding was peat moss, shredded leaves and wood pellets. I built a shed 4X4X8 over the pit where I hung three rabbit cages. I started with 4 pounds of worms. I believe they were Eisenia foetida. At first the rabbit poop just piled up. Now it seems like the rabbits can't keep up with the worms voracious appetite. I now add quite a bit of table scraps to help feed them. I harvested 40 gallons of casting from one side where I also harvested enough worms to start two worm bins. I used the unfinished compost from that side for the bedding of the two bins. I replaced the harvested castings with grass clipping and shredded leaves. The worms are already starting to populate the new bedding. I am planning on digging another pit before winter.

Post edited by: vermiman, at: 2007/09/05 11:38 It's Black Gold!! It's Squirmy Tea!!

John 3:16
Acts 2:21

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wellsworms

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A Protected Species Earthworm

Posts: 514

Re:help with science fair ideas - 2007/09/06 07:54 have you had a problem with moles? FEED IT TO THE WORMS
WELLS,vermont
jerry walker 2008

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vermiman

User

A Mature Breeder Earthworm

Posts: 93

Re:help with science fair ideas - 2007/09/06 08:55 wellsworms wrote:
have you had a problem with moles?

Not that I know of. The next pit that I dig will have better barriers as sides. This first time, i guess I was too impatient to get my worms in the ground. Once I get the new pit completed with good barriers, I guess it would be a good idea to transport the worms over to the new pit until I fix the first pit. Can anyone give me any good ideas for barriers? It's Black Gold!! It's Squirmy Tea!!

John 3:16
Acts 2:21

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WFike

User

A Protected Species Earthworm

Posts: 224

Re:help with science fair ideas - 2007/09/06 19:42 While you are diggin that big old hole give some thought to a big ol (free)freezer with insulated sides and a top that closes (need to drill hole for air in top). semi portable. Can be painted to hide it. Put a 40 watt light bulb in it as a heater and you are on the way. Mole proof, possum and coon proof also.

Post edited by: WFike, at: 2007/09/06 19:44

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TNRRRTeacher
User

A Fertile Cocoon

Posts: 1

Re:help with science fair ideas - 2008/07/13 00:48 A science fair project must prove/disprove something (hypothesis), not just explain or recount something. To work properly, you will probably need several bins that are initially set up as equal as possible in the beginning. One should be the control. The others should be the ones that you change your variables (whatever you are trying to prove) on. All other factors (moisture, temperature) should remain the same. Some ideas would be: 1. What type of bedding works best (leaves, cardboard, newspaper, etc.) 2. What type of food works best (coffee grounds, fruit, vegetables, leaves, manure, etc). You probably need several months for this type of experiment to work, the longer the better. Take data from all bins on a regular basis. This should include pictures. Your child's face cannot be in any of the pictures. If this happens, you can use a round sticky smiley-face label to cover the face. This sounds like a great science experiment. Even if your son has already done this once, you can always change your hypothesis and repeat it. Best of luck.

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