ACTIVITY

Soil Safari

Become a soil sleuth and go on a Soil Safari to explore the hidden world beneath our feet.

Spark students’ curiosity about worms by exploring their underground world, while also introducing how these tiny creatures help support healthy soil and sustainable ecosystems.

Before:

  • Print the Soil Safari worksheets (suitable for 10-12 year olds)
  • Choose a suitable outdoor spot (like a garden bed or schoolyard patch) where light digging is allowed and won’t cause disruption.
  • Check the soil conditions and season first, as worms are harder to find in dry or very hot weather.
1

Share information about how worms help support healthy soil and sustainable ecosystems. The True or False and the Guess, Share, and Guess Again are engaging methods to use.

2

Brief. Remind students to handle worms gently and always return them to where they were found.

3

Choose and mark a survey spot. Select a patch of soil (school grounds, park, garden) and mark a 1 × 1 m area for a 30-minute search window.

4

Find worms (pick one or several methods) 

  • Stamping (vibrations) 
  • Habitat hunting (under stones, dead wood, leaf litter)
  • Soaking (wet grass, cover with a bin liner 30 min)
  • Twanging (rock a garden fork 15 mins)
5

Count & record. Tally worms found within the marked area and log date, location, how many, number and type. 

6

Identify quickly 

  • Common red (epigeic, 1–7 cm, red-brown)
  • Blue-grey (endogeic, 2–12 cm, pale)
  • European nightcrawler (anecic, 15–25 cm, deep burrows/casts)

 

Return all worms to their habitat.

7

Compare and evaluate

Didactic tips:

  • Have students document their findings with sketches or photos.
  • Extend the activity by connecting soil health to gardening or composting projects.
  • Facilitate discussions on how maintaining healthy soil supports sustainable food systems and biodiversity.

Extend (optional)

  • Try a soil sensory bucket
  • Build a wormery
  • Run a soil conservation campaign
  • Host a composting workshop
GreenComp: Soil, worms, biodiversity, circularity
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InvestigateCreate
THEME:
Nature & biodiversity
TIME: 60-90 minutes
AGE: 10-12 years, 13-15 years

SUBJECTS:

  • Nature sciences

TOOLS / MATERIALS:

  • Printed Soil Safari pages (incl. recording table)
  • Garden fork
  • Water + black plastic/bin liner (for soaking)
  • Timer/stopwatch (to time 15–30 minutes)
  • String/pegs or tape to mark 1 × 1 m (optional)
  • Optional phone/camera to document

METHODS:

RESOURCES: