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When Genoveva opens her magic book, the screen is filled with feathers, beaks, horns, legs, wings, and snouts. Genoveva's magic book transports her to various habitats where she learns about the animals that live there. In this episode, Genoveva meets the ants.
(Source: DCMP)
Leaf cutter ants could be called the overachievers of the insect world. They are farmers, medicine makers, and green energy producers. With support from the National Science Foundation, bacteriologist Cameron Currie studies the complex evolutionary relationships between the ants, the fungi they cultivate and eat, and the bacteria that influence this symbiosis. At the University of Wisconsin-Madison, Currie works with the Great Lakes Bioenergy Research Center on campus to explore how the ants manage to degrade cellulose. Her goal is to discover new ways humans might break down biomass into biofuels. The bacteria component of the ant colony could also help scientists develop more effective antibiotics for human health and agriculture.
Harvester ants have a reputation for military precision, but one researcher in Colorado suggests they are more like a commune of free spirits. With no single ant in charge, harvester ants use chemical information and scent to the same effect that humans use visual information to determine their daily regimen. Wild Chronicles takes an up-close look at how altering an ant's chemical cues can change a colony's behavior and cause a mock battle. Segment of video from Wild Chronicles Segment.
The Magic School Bus is an award winning animated children’s television series based on the book series of the same title by Joanna Cole and Bruce Degen. It is notable for its use of celebrity talent and being both highly entertaining and educational. The class visits the inside of an anthill when Keesha directs a movie about social animals for the school science fair. Watching the ants at close range, the class realizes how social the ants are and how each one performs a vital job for the survival of its colony.
An alien species has found its way to an island off the coast of Texas. Wildlife experts believe that arrived after a flood, and they are wreaking havoc on the natural wildlife. They seem impossible to combat, and researchers are beginning to study them because of their tenacity and survival skills. Segment of video from Wild Chronicles Series.
Invasive animals are often most abundant in habitats impacted by humans. Understanding why this is true may reveal important insights about the ecological impact of many invasive species. The invasive fire ant, Solenopsis invicta, is a notoriously pesky species that benefits when humans disturb natural areas. With support from the National Science Foundation, Dr. Joshua King at the University of Central Florida and Dr. Walter Tschinkel at Florida State University have been exploring the underlying causes and consequences of the association of fire ants with human-altered ecosystems. Part of the National Science Foundation Series “Science Nation.”
Looks at several types of ant species and explains their differences in building houses. Discusses why ant house building is dependent on teamwork. Observes ants building colonies and explores the jobs of different ants in a community. Outlines the life stages of ants. Describes how the lives of ants differ according to the sex of an ant. Explains how ants use the sense of smell to communicate.
In this episode, host Emily Graslie explores the living structures of various insects. Some of the insects discussed include: fire ants, carpenter ants, stinging ants, weaver ants, paper wasps, gall wasps, potter wasps, mud daubers, and termites. Part of "The Brain Scoop" series.
Bullet ants have the most intense sting of any insect, and in this episode, host Emily Graslie learns what makes their sting so painful. She visits with Dr. Corrie Moreau and witnesses how she extracts their venom to learn more about its chemical makeup. Part of "The Brain Scoop" series. Please note this title shows the dissection of insects.
This episode explores the necessary and yet often times annoying relationship between humans and insects. Some of the insects highlighted include honey bees, driver ants, silk worms, locusts, Anopheles mosquitos, aphids, money spiders, and army ants. Part of the "Nature's Micorworlds: Insect Specials" series.
Ants play important roles in many ecosystems, and a team of scientists are surveying ant populations in Gorongosa Park. Leading the study is Leeanne Alonso, she is cataloging the different species of ants in Gorongosa National Park and establishing a species census to monitor the ongoing recovery of the park.
Young Sophia and her friend Victor introduce a series of familiar animals such as bees, ants, ducks, and bears, whose behavior and natural instincts provide lessons about sharing.
Insects can be found in baking deserts, lush rainforests, and all points in between. For most, their size seems insignificant; however, the influence insects have on the planet is immense. They make it possible for reptiles, amphibians, and mammals to exist. Part of the "Nature's Microworlds: Insect Specials" series.
In this episode, host Emily Graslie highlights the suckermouth armored catfish, dinosaur fossils, and a group of parasitic ants. Part of the "Natural News From The Field Museum" series.
Talks about ant anatomy. Explains that not all species look alike, but they all share the same basic characteristic of having three functional body segments: head, thorax, abdomen. Describes body parts and functions of each segment. Discusses how various species of ants from Africa, South America, and Australia have adapted to their surroundings over time.
Scientists at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory give tips for presenting the final product of the experiment. In this segment, they offer suggestions for communicating the experiment and results in a way that will captivate an audience’s attention. Part of the “How to Do a Science Fair Project” series.
Researchers explore how different types of biomass can be used to produce fuel. One researcher is building reactors to grow algae used to create biofuel. A different study examines how leafcutter ants break down biomass in order to convert cellulose in plants to a fermentable sugar used to make ethanol. Finally, an engineer uses chemistry and heat to turn sawmill waste into bio-oil and gasoline.
Michael Goodisman is digging up the dirt on yellow jackets' peculiar lives by studying their nests, behavior, and genetic make-up. With support from the National Science Foundation, he is getting a better understanding of what drives their complex family relationships. Yellow jackets, like honey bees and fire ants, exist in a sophisticated social hierarchy. Unlike other animals that travel in packs or swim together, these social insects will literally sacrifice their own survival in support of their hives, nests, and colonies.
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Resources to teach younger students about animals
A collection containing 58 resources, curated by DIAGRAM Center
