The NASA program is constantly experimenting with materials and living things to determine whether or not they will survive in outer space. Your lab, Experimentation for Potential Space Utilization Laboratory (EPSUL) has been commissioned by NASA to find the potential usefulness of earthworms on another planet. Realizing your limited knowledge of earthworms, EPSUL has divided your task into two levels. For this first level, EPSUL has set aside time and supplies for your research and experimentation to familiarize yourself with this invertebrate. EPSUL will also provide two exploratory situations which will demonstrate your readiness for Level Two.

Your task is to research earthworms. You will examine their anatomy, behavior, nutrition, and life in a worm bin.

1. Pick a research team of 3 or 4. Assign each scientist a task.
2. Develop a chart showing the exterior of the earthworm. Label the parts and then write a definition for each one in a separate area on your chart.
3. Develop a chart showing the interior of the earthworm. Label the parts and then write a definition for each one in a separate area on your chart.
4. Dissect a worm. Identify the external parts and the internal parts. An EPSUL agent must verify your knowledge of each one. Consult with an EPSUL agent when you are ready for this step. You will know you are ready when you have completed and thoroughly studied Steps Two and Three. (Whole team)
5. Research the earthworm's behavior and make a list of your findings.
6. Research what a worm (Redworm) eats and does not eat and make a list of your findings.
7. Make a worm bin (using materials provided) according to information gained from your research.
8. Reflect on all the information you have learned about earthworms, then analyze our classroom worm bin. What is right with it? What is wrong with it? Create an organizational chart to show your conclusions. Based on your findings, what steps need to be taken to improve our bin? Write your conclusions on a separate sheet of paper. (Whole team)

EPSUL has provided several lab and online resources:

• Earthworm Anatomy -- Clear graphics and good definitions.
• All About Earthworms -- Interior parts of a worm, Birth Video, Heart Video. The videos take awhile to load, but they're worth the wait.
• Composting with Worms or Composting with Redworms -- Required reading for all EPSUL scientists.
• Worms as Recyclers
• Composting Dictionary -- A quick reference to increase your wormologist vocabulary.
• Worm Bedding -- Which one is best?
• Meet Mary, the Worm Woman -- An interview telling how to make a worm bin.
• Worm Bin Basics

• Fowler, Allan. It Could Still Be a Worm. Children's Press, Inc., 1996.
• Lauber, Patricia. Earthworms: Underground Farmers. New York: Henry Holt and Company, 1994.
• Pascoe, Elaine. Earthworms. Connecticut: Blackbirch Press, Inc., 1997.
• Nancarrow, Loren and Janet Hogan Taylor. The Worm Book. California: Ten Speed Press, 1998.

Each member of your research team will be evaluated based on this Rubric.

Earthworms are more interesting and more complex than one would imagine at first glance. What do you know about earthworms that you did not know before? Why would you think that earthworms might possibly be useful on another planet? When you receive your Wormologist Certificate, you may proceed to Level 2.