Play-based science activities for early learners - Questacon Science ...

Ant Farm
What they explore
Living things are fascinating, especially
when they live in groups like ants, as
then you can watch what the individuals
do and also how they work together.
What you need
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A one litre drink bottle
A clear two litre drink bottle
Cardboard
What you do
Cut the tops off both bottles at the shoulder.
Discard the tops but keep one cap.
Use the cardboard to make a platform that
covers the top of the smaller bottle and fix it
on with sticky tape.
Stick some more tape or some blue-tack
on the bottom of the smaller bottle and put it
inside the larger one. Position it in the middle,
so there is an even gap between the two and
push it down firmly, so the tape or blue-tack
will hold it in place.
Fill the space between the two bottles with
sandy soil, stopping about 8 cm from the top.
Carefully capture some ants. If you don’t want
to pick them up, put a piece of fruit or some
honey in an open jar near their nest and the
ants will come to you.
Transfer the ants onto the soil in your bottle,
then cover the top with paper towel secured
with a rubber band.
What to ask
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Can you see the tunnels?
What do you think that ant is doing?
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Observing and caring for the ants teaches
children a lot about living things, what they
need and how to look after them.
Sticky tape
Sandy soil
Paper towel
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Rubber band
Cotton wool
A pin
Use a pin to make some fine holes in
the towel so the ants don’t suffocate.
Now you and your child can enjoy
watching and caring for your new pets.
Try not to move the bottles too
much or the ants’ tunnels could collapse.
Don’t keep them in direct sunlight.
The cardboard platform can be used
to hold the ants’ food and water.
Provide water by placing some cotton wool
in a bottle cap and soaking it with water
every day.
You can feed your ants breadcrumbs
dipped in sugar water or honey and small
bits of fruit. One half teaspoon of food
a week is enough for 10 to 20 ants.
When you have finished with your colony,
make sure you release the ants back
where you found them.
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What things do both ants and people
need to live?
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