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Materials

Controlled Variables:  

 

  • Gallon  jug 

  • Mustard powder

  • Spray bottle w/ water

  • Rulers 

  • thermometer

  • Tweezers

  • Strainer

  • Hand shovel

  • PH Meter

  • Damp Cloth

  • Ball

  • Distilled Water


 

                  Independent Variables:

  •  Soil texture

  • PH



Dependent Variables: Worms (amount) 

Methods

  1. Fill gallon jugs with water 

  2. Holding a ball, spin 10 times and throw it randomly to determine the location

  3. Once the location is decided, set up your rulers in a one by one foot square

  4. Remove any debris on top without disturbing the vegetation

  5. Record soil and air temperature and any additional condition

  6. Dig out a bit of dirt and remove any debris that is inside. Then soften the soil with distilled water.

  7. Place the PH meter inside the softened soil and write down the PH

  8. Using the Soil Texture Hand Test, find the soil type

  9. Put ¼ cup of mustard powder and put it in a gallon jug with water (leave room on top for shaking

  10. Shake gallon jug to eliminate any settling

  11. Set timer for 10 minutes. Slowly pour the jug of your mustard powder solution in your designated area.

  12. Half of the jug in the first 5 minutes and the rest in the last 5 minutes

  13. Once worms come to the surface, use tweezers to pull them off with the strainer, and a spray bottle to clean the worms off and then put them in the box.

  14. After 10 minutes are up, record the types of worms and how many you found.

  15. Once finished repeat steps 2-13 three more times.

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