Students should do the additional readings prior to the activity. If students do not have internet access, you may need to make copies of the readings for them. Sufficient time should be given for completion of the pre lab, discussion of the student lab design, approval by the teacher, time to gather materials and run the lab, and time to present the results to the class. Appropriate for grades 7 - 12. Adaptable for younger students.
Caution is recommended when working with heat or electricity.
Red worms can be substituted for earthworms. Students may want to look for their own worms instead of purchasing them from any local bait shop. Certain climatic conditions exist in these niches. Because of temperature increases associated with global warming, the habitats may no longer support organisms that once lived in them. Certain other abiotic factors, such as the quantity of rainfall, may also change as a result of global warming.