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help with a very small science project

18 years ago

for my grandson...for a 5 gallon bucket...what can he expect if he adds coffee grounds, shredded paper, leaves and a handful of composted manure...worms? this is a very interesting forum...thanks for any suggestions/info...bz

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Comments (8)

carnationman
18 years ago
He could finish up with a bucket of compost or what is far more likely a few dead worms in a bucket full of very smelly sludge but I do wish you well.John
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sqh1
18 years ago
I would not recommend using manure of any kind in a bin where a child, (or adult), would be having their hands in. Your grandson could add shredded, dampened paper, coffee grounds (and maybe a little chopped produce). Find a bait shop and buy some redworms and put them into the bucket. He could observe how the worms eat the organic material and turn the waste into a valuable resource.
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dognapper2
18 years ago
Hi~
Years ago (when my kids were little :) I found a science project book called Bottle Biology. It takes 2 liter soda bottles and turns them into mini habitats/ wicking containers, etc. Lots of neat projects including Chapter 2: Decomposition Column. Takes 3 bottles to construct a tower/mini composter.
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Here is a link that might be useful: bottle biology
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beezee
Original Author
18 years ago
laurie, i have bookmarked this site for next year when he is a little older...thanks so much...sqh1, for now, your suggestion seems more manageable and age appropriate...he loves to fish and we live on an island where this sport is practically at the backdoor...could you give me more details ( how many worms? drill holes in bottom of bucket? are these the same worms that you find in the yard? the proportion of paper, leaves, grinds, etc.) looking forward to your reply...thanks bz
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Frogonalog
18 years ago
beezee,

There is also a previous posting with links for a worm observation chamber. It requires an aquarium or a plexiglass container. It may cost you a small bit if you don't have the supplies.

Charles

Here is a link that might be useful: Worm Observation Chamber
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dognapper2
18 years ago
>>
hundreds! Or until he's tired of digging for them :) As many as you can feed to the fish?

>>
Yes, big enough for water to drain but not so big escapees are a problem. (I use a recycling sized bin) Once the thing is set up water once in a while and make sure there's food in there- you won't have to go dig worms before you go fishing for a while :)

>>
I know it's not the "worm farm way" but regular worms eat & poop too :) You might not get as much castings/ as fast as the red wigglers sold for this purpose. A good experiment when he's a little older: buy some & dig some and put them to a race!

>> fill the bucket at least half full with shredded paper & leaves as the base, wet it down good and let it drain. I go ahead and throw in the half coffee can of dirt the worms are in while I dig them each time (for fishing trout around here :)Maybe give them a weed or two like a dandilion - roots and all) It will be gone by spring.

Also Feed them things like shredded lettuce/the outer rings of head not fit for your salad, outside peels of an onion, egg shells...smash em good :)- basicly anything without grease & bones...no meat. Once it's set up he might not have to add anything for a while, or he might add a little somehting each time he "checks". Keeps the interest up if they get to "do something!" If they don't need anything, all your offerings are perfect for the regular compost pile outside. (I have 3 earth machines from the community composting project many years ago. I feed them more often than the worm bin probably...named one Templeton after the rat in Charlotte's Web - the garbage collector :) "WHO wants to feed Templeton?" was called out when I wanted the youngest to take out the "garbage" to the composter. Worked for quite a while! Now that she's 20 - not so much :)
Laurie
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sqh1
18 years ago
beezee...If you want to use a 5 gallon bucket, it would be okay. A 3 gallon rubbermaid type tote would be better, not as deep. The worms that will work great in this bin are the same ones you find in the bait store (not nightcrawlers). Here is how I set mine up (and how I have set them up for many classrooms):
3 gallon rubbermaid tote
Drill 1/2 inch holes along the top of the sides of the bin, (none in the top itself)
Drill about 20 1/4" holes in the bottom for drainage. (If the worms are in a good environment they do not leave the bin. It's like a resort for them)
Shred long strips of newspaper.
Dampen the paper (like a wrung out sponge).
Put paper in the bin, (this is your bedding). (The worms need the bedding to help aerate, eat, rest.)
If you have some compost put that in the bottom before the paper. If you don't then just toss a small handful of dirt. add your worms and leave the lid off. Watch the worms disappear into the bedding. They do not like light.pull back the top 3" of bedding on one end of the bin. Add some food. (Maybe a 1/2 cup of chopped veggies, fruit, coffee grinds etc...just no meat or dairy).
Replace the bedding on top of the food and put the lid on.

When your grandson wants to check them, have him pull back that bedding where the food was buried and see if the worms are eating it. When the worms have eaten most of it, he could add some more on the other end.
Hope this helps. Have fun!
Email me anytime with questions.
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beezee
Original Author
18 years ago
thanks to all of you for the help...may be back later with more questions...i know i'll be back later to lurk...great forum you are running...bz
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