Pictured here are Grover Hill Kindergarten students left to right Isabella Baker, Ashlyn Manz and Karsyn Troth each holding a live red worm.
By: Staci Miller, Education Specialist, Paulding SWCD
Last week, Grover Hill kindergarten got to learn about the wonderful things worms can do. Staci Miller with Paulding SWCD went in to visit the classrooms with her very own worm farm. The students learned about vermicomposting which is the process of using worms (“vermin” is Latin for worm”) to process organic food waste into nutrient-rich soil. The youth learned how to construct a worm bin by using storage totes. They also learned about what worms like to eat and how they are able to eat the rotting food and reuse it as a natural fertilizer for plants. Worm poop or castings are the best compost. It is full of beneficial nutrients that is a great plant fertilizer. After learning about their habitat, they got the chance to hold a live red wiggler worm. Then to finish off the presentation, youth participated in a worm relay game. They were transformed into birds and had to pick up worms (pipe cleaners) with their beak (clothespin) just like birds and deliver them to their birdhouse (container). The students really enjoyed playing this relay game and getting to hold a live red worm. If you are interested in this or other educational programs, please contact Staci Miller, Education Specialist for a full listing of programs available for your classroom or organizational group at 419-399-4771.
