Tiered Mentoring Program

The effects of invasive and naturalized worms on plant growth, soil nutrition, and each other

Dr. Randall Mitchell and Cynthia Yoder

The Mitchell lab studies various ecological questions, from plants to animals and the human interactions with the environment. For this project, we will be studying the way worms change soil structure and how they may be affecting plants within the soils in which they exist. You will have the option to contribute to one or more of our projects this year.

For one project, we will be conducting a laboratory experiment using three species of worms and produced castings to germinate plants. In another, we will be observing earthworm interactions in the lab, and in the third, we will be sampling and measuring the nutrients available in different growth media that once had earthworms. Other projects could be developed in time.

You will learn about the use of composting worms in agriculture and home gardening, hands-on scientific study of collecting and analyzing data, soil and worm sampling methodology, sample preparation and preservation, applied scientific work, along with soil processes and more.

Click here for more information about projects in Dr. Mitchell's lab.