Lesson Plan 3 - National Worm Survey

Worm Watch uses earthworms to help us discover soil and appreciate the importance of soil ecology in sustaining agriculture, the natural environment, and ourselves.

The National Earthworm Survey will help scientists, land managers, and farmers know if earthworms can be used as indicators of soil health. The results of the survey will also assist people who make rules about what products are allowed into Canada, or what land reclamation practices are acceptable. We want volunteers to help us find-out how many different species of earthworms there are in Canada and where they live.

Canada is a very large country. It would take a very long time for a small team of scientists to examine all the earthworm species in Canada. That-s why we need your help! Did you know that it has been assumed that most of the earthworms in Canada were killed in the last ice age, and were then reintroduced with the European settlers that came to colonise Canada. Earthworms move very slowly, so how could they have moved into so many places in such a short time?

We know that cart-wheels carried mud that likely had a few earthworm cocoons attached, and hoofed animals can also pick-up and carry earthworm cocoons attached to their feet and legs. People carried worms on boats to fish and then disposed of the left over worms on the banks of the rivers and lakes where they landed. Nowadays, earthworms and their cocoons can move around in the mud attached to heavy machinery, trucks and cars. Maybe you have found an earthworm in a potted plant that you bought at the store.

There are native earthworms in Canada too, most of them have been found on the Pacific coast and in the far north west, where Canada was not glaciated in the last ice age. There are some native earthworms that have been found near our southeastern border that have migrated north from the U.S.A. In the Yukon, and northern BC and Alberta we think there is an earthworm that has migrated (probably with help) across the Bering bridge from Siberia. The data you collect and file with Worm Watch will be used to compare earthworm populations and species diversity in different habitats across Canada. Then we can learn more about where the earthworms in Canada came from.

The key to this program has been the development of a set of standard sampling methods that work anywhere and can be used by anyone (scientists all over the World are using these methods). The methods range from a more casual survey to a method that is both quantitative and qualitative. We have also developed a simple taxonomic key to the more common earthworms in Canada that you can use to identify the earthworms that you find. There are procedures later on in this section that outline what to do if you find an earthworm you can not identify using the key. Our experts are only an Wormwatch@em.agr.ca away if you have questions.

Key Concepts and Skills

Students will develop an understanding of the nature of science as well as the social and environmental contexts of science and technology.

Students will develop the skills required for scientific inquiry, problem solving, communicating scientific ideas and results, working collaboratively, and making informed decisions.

Students will construct knowledge and understanding of concepts in life science and apply these understandings to interpret, integrate, and extend their knowledge.

Students will be encouraged to develop attitudes that support the responsible acquisition and application of scientific knowledge to the mutual benefit of self, society, and the environment.

• sampling methods
• sampling template

Additional Science Information

Investigation 3 sets the stage for your students to participate in the National Worm Survey. This investigation introduces you to the three standard sampling methods. From here, you and your students will decide which method you are going to use. Once the method has been decided, download the detailed information on the technique from the Worm Watch web site.

Activity Preparation

Suggestion: with younger students the parent volunteers also need to participate in the orientation activities so they also know what an adult earthworm is and how to use the key.

Implementation Strategies

1. Decide on the standard sampling method you will use. The choices are Flip and Strip, Modified Flip and Strip or Modified Hand Sorting.
   
   
2. Take at least one class to go over the method, how to identify the earthworms, and how record the data. This will save you a great deal of time and energy. (See the Hints and Suggestions below.)
   
   
3. Ask your students to gather the materials and equipment required for sampling. This will also save you a great deal of time.
   
   
4. Review the instructions and safety precautions just before heading out to the field to sample.
   
   
5. The instructions for each sampling method are clearly laid out. Following the instructions will help to ensure a successful field trip.
   
   

Hints and Suggestions

1. Complete Investigation 1: Anatomy of an Earthworm before attempting this investigation.
   
   
2. Complete Investigation 2: Identifying An Earthworm before attempting this investigation.
   
   
3. Arrange to borrow milk boxes from your local grocery store or from a dairy. These sturdy boxes can be used to transport all of the materials to the sampling site.
   
   
4. Arrange for parent volunteers to help you. You will need at least one parent for each group or team of students. The parent volunteers should be encouraged to also participate in Investigations 1 and 2, or be given these investigations to read at home.
   
   
5. Arrange to borrow a digital camera for the sampling day. This will give you the technology to record your students at work. In addition, you can use a digital camera to send a series of pictures to Worm Watch if you are not sure about the identity of the earthworms.
   
   

Wrap-Up

Extensions

ICT Integration

1. Students can use spreadsheet software to record their results. They can use the graphing capabilities of the software to display and help them analyze their results.
   
   
2. Students use the online database to submit their results to Worm Watch.
   
   
3. Students can use GPS (global positioning system technology) to report their sampling position and map sampling sites and data collected at various sites.
   
   

Cross-Curricular Connections

Mathematics - draw a series of graphs to display and help them analyze their results.

Fine Arts - students can take photographs of their sampling site, other students at work, and any adult worms that the find. Students can create a bulletin board display or develop a web site that can be posted on a Local Area Network.

Assessing Student Learning

The following is a sample rubric that you can use to evaluate the students in this activity.