THE life and habitat of the humble earthworm was under the microscope of Year 6 pupils at Dormer House School recently as they all became scientists for the day.

The national research project involved looking at soil quality, analysing samples, looking at type and testing for acidity and calcium carbonate. The children them counted all surface and deep burrowing earthworms which had been coaxed out of their earth homes using diluted mustard powder.

Deputy head and science teacher Andrew Trafford said: “It was a great investigation, being part of a national research project and having to return our results for analysis meant that there was real purpose and emphasis for experiment rigour plus a lot of fun especially when the worms were trying to escape. We have our new science learning lab opening shortly and we will soon be undertaking several more Citizen Science projects with different year groups across the school.”

Citizen science is the practice of public participation and collaboration in scientific research to increase scientific knowledge. Through citizen science, people share and contribute to data monitoring and collection programs.