Science Project time!

[Smitty]

Howdy,

My middleschooler is going to be doing a science project this year. I knew this was coming and have been trying to come up with different idea. Something I thought up and she likes is:

Test various environments on raising silk worms from eggs to adults.

Side effect being that I get to feed some of the "test subjects" to Bob

I was thinking of having 3 groups, one that had a normal day/night schedule. Another with light all the time, and another with dark all the time. They would each get the same amount of food and all other treatment the same (well, the one with light all the time and the one with some light will have more air flow and will probably be a bit cooler too and I know the temp effects their growth).

So, anyone else have any ideas about this? I would really like to have it based around silk worms if possible. If the light/lack of light won't work then maybe something else? Hot/Cold? I know that has an effect... plus I'm not sure how I can simulate the hot really well because I can't leave them out side or in the shed as I live in FL and they would bake in the shed.

Thanks!

 

[Will Hayward]

Some variables you could consider;

-light (Florescent coil vs slightly warmer incandescent)
-heat (heat pad, heat lamp, ceramic heat emitter (no light) )

both as mentioned

-Times when food is offered (only when dark, then removed when light/vice versa)
-colour of food (could turn it black and blue. also does the food die alter the colour of worms)
-additives to food (more vitamins, hormones, etc)
-using food that is specifically sold as hornworm food (usually red or yellow)
-feeding them on different foods like squash, other leaves etc
-feeding them fresh leaves collected from a couple of the different mulberry tree species.