Mealworm Science Projects

Mealworms are ideal for science projects because they are easy to acquire, house and watch. Mealworms are sold at pet stores as food for other animals like reptiles and fish. They are inexpensive. Housing them requires a small area, and they are somewhat active so they're are easy to observe during a science project.

Continual Classroom Observation

This is best done in a classroom environment where each student can observe his or her mealworm on a daily and weekly basis. Each child is given a mealworm, clear plastic container, bedding and food including bran and an occasional shaving from an apple. The mealworm is the responsibility of the student. He or she will be observing the stages of life of the mealworm as it becomes a darkling beetle. This process can last up to six months, so it is a long-term observation project. Each student can record data about his mealworm, comparing it to other mealworms in the classroom. This is ideal for classes studying the life cycle of insects.

Mealworm Locomotion

In this science project, students can learn how different surfaces affect how fast a mealworm can travel. Find different surfaces for the mealworms to walk on, for example carpet, concrete, a desk surface and wire mesh. Let the mealworm walk on the surface for a limited time to see how far it gets on the surface. Observe, record and discuss the outcomes. This shows how various obstacles affect how the worm moves and how fast. It also shows how the worm changes course and uses its body in different ways to get over certain surfaces. This project can be done again when the mealworm turns into a darkling beetle, and the differences can be observed and recorded.

The Actions and Reactions of Mealworms

Use several stimuli and observe how and why the mealworms react to each. For example:

Touch the mealworm's antennae with a toothpick.

Shine a flashlight so only half the mealworm is in the light.

Gently blow on the worm through a straw.

You can come up with your own ideas, making sure they do not harm the mealworm. Record the worm's reactions and your theories of why it reacted to the stimuli in that way. Did each mealworm react the same way? This project can also show you how to make your worm do tricks by exposing it to certain stimuli. This project can also be done when the mealworm turns into a darkling beetle, and the differences can be observed and recorded.