Middle schoolers get up close with worms

Opp Middle School students are getting their hands dirty to learn science and math by doing-hands on projects like calculating the average pulse rate of earthworms.

Science teacher Sterling Driver said that the he is using the project to incorporate math with science.

“The kids are looking at the pulse of earthworms and calculating the average pulse,” Driver said. “If they have cellphones they can use the calculator to help them add it up, but I wanted to incorporate some math with their science.”

Driver said that the students are getting their feet wet by learning about ecosystems.

“They learn a lot about adaptation and charismatics of life,” Driver said. “They will have beetle races, go out to the ponds to learn about pond ecosystems and they get to do a lot of these hands-on labs. By doing projects like these the students are getting to learn about different ecosystems. It is all pretty hands-on so they get to learn a lot.”

Driver wants to teach across the curriculum so his students get the best education.

“I incorporate math in with science because we are trying to teach across the curriculum,” Driver said. “So with the earthworm project they calculate average heart rate and with the beetle races they calculate the average speed. They really enjoy it.”

OMS student Will Boyd said that he enjoys the project because you get a close look at the worms.

“You can zoom in really close,” Boyd said. “That way you can get a better look at the blood flowing.”

Classmate Jose Llamas said that he enjoys watching the blood flow through the earthworm.

“Looking at how the blood flows through the earthworm is really cool,” Llamas said. “I think I learn better when I get to do hands-on projects like this.”

Driver said that the projects are all available through the Alabama Math, Science and Technology Initiative.