Vivarium - Observations of roots and earthworms

This kit contains:

• 1 transparent vivarium format 31x21x4.6cm
• 8 slabs of dehydrated soil
• 1 bag of 800 g of sand
• 1 bag of 200 gr of pozzolan
• 1 sachet of white radish seeds
• 1 packet of carrot seeds
• 1 packet of bean seeds
• 2 peanut seeds
• 1 instruction sheet

2-in-1 Vivarium - Observations of roots and earthworms

Thanks to this transparent vivarium, your child will be able to watch the roots of vegetables grow, but also observe earthworms in their natural environmentl while having fun. Thanks to this game, your child goes on a discovery of the natural sciences. It is intended for children 6 and over and you have 6 months of activity: 3 to 4 months of cultivation and 2 months of observation of earthworms.

You can place this vivarium in any room of the house, even in your child's room.

This kit allows you to carry out 2 indoor activities:

• Sow vegetable seeds and observe their development in the ground and in the air.
• Introduce earthworms to examine their behavior underground.

Observation of the roots:

• Let the earth pads swell in a container by pouring water.
• Pour the sachet of pozzolan into the vivarium.
• Fill in with soil, tamping down a little.
• Make small holes in the earth with a wooden pencil along the wall.
• Sow the seeds in the holes and cover with soil, then water (sow well at the edge of the wall to see the roots clearly).
• Place the vivarium in the dark by replacing the cardboard.
• Every 3 days, remove the cardboard to observe the roots grow and note the observations on the observation table.
• After each observation, put the vivarium back in the dark so that the roots continue to develop.
• Water regularly but not excessively.

This observation workshop will allow you to realize the importance of roots for a plant. A true study lesson of living at home.

Watching earthworms:

• Once all the vegetables have grown, we collect the soil to be able to observe the earthworms.
• Fill the vivarium with half of the soil, tamping down a little.
• Pour in the sand and add the rest of the soil, tamping down a little more.
• Now add some dead leaves and some earthworms.
• Place the vivarium in the dark, replacing the cardboard to protect the earthworms from light.
• Every 3 days, remove the vivarium from its box to observe the earthworms and their galleries.
• After each observation, put the vivarium back in the dark.

This observation workshop will help you better understand the enormous work that earthworms do in the soil. Remember to feed them with dead leaves on top of the soil and water regularly.

Precautions for use:

This is not a toy. The seeds are meant to be sown, do not swallow them or put them in the mouth. This activity is designed for children over 6 years old.

Origin:

The design and assembly of this kit was done in the Radis et Capucine workshops in Angers.