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Science Project #1

Test the effects of temperature change on ants. Here’s what you will need.

• · An ant observatory and some ants.
• · A cooler or refrigerator large enough to place the ant observatory into.
• · Thermometer - To document temperature effects.
• · Clock - To record how long it takes there movement to speed up or slow in response to the temperature.

• Notice the activity of the ants as they move around at room temperature. Record the temperature. Now place the observatory in the refrigerator (35 degrees) for 10 minutes. After the 10 minutes are up remove the observatory and notice how slowly the ants move. Ants move slower at colder temperatures. As the temperature goes up the ants will become more active until it gets too hot. Your Tests should answer these questions: What are the effects of temperature change on ants? Why does this
  happen? What temperature are ants most active at? What temperature do they stop working? What is their peak temperature before shutting down?

Science Project #2

Test the effect of light and darkness on ants. You may want to have two observatories for this experiment. Here’s what you will need.

• · 2 Ant habitats with ants
• · Clock
• · Cardboard box w/ aluminum foil - for building a dark room
• · Ruler or Measuring Device - To see if they don’t dig as far in the dark.

• Place 25 ants into each observatory. Keep one observatory in the dark for a specified amount of time. Keep the other observatory in the light during the same time period. Note the differences in how much work has been done (tunnels dug, dirt mounds built, etc...) Draw conclusions based on your experiment. Your Test should answer these questions: What are the effects (if any) of light and darkness on ants? Why do you think this is the case?1

Science Project #3

Test the ants ability to dig tunnels in wet and dry sand. Here’s what you you’ll need.

• · 1-2 Ant Habitats (Non-Gel) with Ants
• · Clock or Timer - to record how long it takes in each type sand.
• · Sand and Dirt
• · Ruler or Measuring Device
• · Magnifying Glass

• You will need to time the ants to see how long it takes to construct a tunnel a certain distance in your ant farm or observatory. You may also want to compare the stability of the tunnels the ants construct. Place the ants into your observatory, (or even a jar will work just fine), with wet sand and start timing them. As soon as they have built a tunnel 1-2 inches long, take note of the time. Now try placing the ants into the same container with dry sand. Time them in the dry sand. Compare your results and make conclusions based on your experiment. Your Test should answer these questions: Which sand works better for building tunnels? Why do you think this is the case?

Science Project #4

This experiment was originally proposed to me by a 12 year old kid about 2 years ago, to find out if Ants would be able to sniff out and find bombs or explosive material via association with their food. The experiment can really be used to test the ants ability to recognize any object or material.. Here’s what you you’ll need.

* An Ant Farm, but you can do this with a native colony as well.
* Some sort of material that you want them to locate and detect via association with food. For instance: Explosives, Rat Poison, mold or anything that you would want them to find.
* Magnifying Glass (probably)
* A notebook to chart their progress.
* Some kind of food that the Ants really like

Place the object, whatever it is, in a specified location. Place the ants favorite food close to the target material/object ( inside of it if necessary). Give the ants time to find the food and try to get them to eat near this same spot for a few days/weeks. *This step may need to be done more than one time.

Next, move the target material/object to a new location without placing their food near it. The goal is to see if the ants will go to the target material/object without the food being there because they associate it with being fed. If they do flock to the target object because of association, then that will bring about some even more interesting questions. How far can the ants detect the target material? How long will they go to the target spot before they give up? Will the ants keep going to the object without the food there?

I never tested it myself, but it’s an interesting theory. For instance, what if you fed them by your car keys for the experiment? Would the ants be able to associate your car keys with food and find them before you could? You could just follow the trail of ants until it led to your keys! LOL. Just a thought.