Behavioral Science Project on Worms and Light

This behavioral science project on worms and light is meant to give you ideas on how to perform experiments and arrange your project. Use this project to come up with ideas for your own experiments.

Behavioral Science Project on Worm Behavior

The purpose of this behavioral science project on worms is to determine if worms react differently to different colors of light.

Background:

Research information on worms and learn about worm biology. Answer the following questions: How do worms sense their environment? Are worms sensitive to light? What types of food do worms eat? Do worms help the environment? If so, how?

Hypothesis:

From your research you should have an idea of how earthworms react to light. From this you will predict if worms will react differently to different colors of light (red, blue, green, yellow, white).

Materials: (Adult supervision of kids is always recommended.)

• Suggested worm habitat kit: Kit includes certificate envelope to send for live worms, soils, and starter food.

       

       Science Kit: Worm Vue Wonders - ages 4 and up

       Scientifics Online: Worm-Vue Wonders - ages 4 and up

• Colored transparency films (office supply store)
  
  
• Tape
  
  

Procedure:

1. Gather materials needed for your behavioral science project on worms and light experiment. You must mail in your certificate before you can receive the live worms, soils, and starter food. (Allow 2-4 weeks for delivery)

2. Follow instructions and safety precautions for setting up your worm habitat. Parental guidance is suggested.

3. Make a note of the species of worms you have when they arrive.

4. Make a list that includes the color transparencies that you will be using (red, blue, green, yellow, ...). Also include white light and no light in your list.

5. For your "no light" category, place the lid on your habitat and insert the removable light shields. Allow the shields to remain there for 1 day.

6. Remove the light shields and record your observations.

• Can the worms be seen? Count the number of worms you see. Are they active?

7. Place a red colored transparency over both clear plastic sides of your habitat. Transparencies can be held in place with tape.

8. Leave the red transparencies in place for 1 day.

9. Remove the red transparencies and record your observations.

10. Reinsert the removable light shields in your habitat and allow them to remain there for 1 day.

11. Repeat steps 7-10 using the remaining transparencies (blue, green, yellow, ...). For white light, do not place anything over the clear plastic sides after you remove the light shields.

12. Repeat the experiment two more times to verify the accuracy of your results.

Record Observations

Light Color	Number of Worms Visible
	Trial 1	Trial 2	Trial 3
Red
Blue
Green
Yellow
White
No Light

Results:

Record your data and compare your results. Describe what you observed. Which color of light did the worms respond to most/least? Why? Graph and chart your data.

Conclusion:

Summarize what happened in your worm behavioral science project experiment based on your results. Explain patterns in your data. Did your data support your hypothesis? If not, explain why. Evaluate your project and make suggestions for improvements.

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