Ant colony observation guide and worksheet for grades 3 to 12.

3-LS2-1: Construct an argument that some animals form groups that help members survive. Ants divide work among queen, workers and brood.

MS-LS1-4: Use argument based on empirical evidence to describe how animal structures and behaviors affect the chance of reproducing. Students can link what they see to colony founding and care of brood.

This is an observation aid, not a full curriculum. You plan the unit and judge how it fits your standards.

Where the queen stays and how workers move around her.

Which ants carry food, which carry eggs or larvae, and which clean the nest.

How the ants react when the room is bumped, when a light changes or when food is added.

Record the same times each day so changes are comparable.

Grades 3 to 5: What jobs can you see ants doing? How does that help the group?

Grades 6 to 8: What does the evidence in your table say about how workers divide tasks? What would you change to test that?

Grades 9 to 12: Compare your log across days. What patterns support an argument about colony structure and reproduction?

American Ant does not sell live ants. Classes can catch a local native queen where state and local rules allow it, or buy from a seller that publishes its USDA permit. Read how to catch a queen.

Schools can apply for discounted nests and scholarships on the educators page. Funding depends on the application.