![]() This summer, our garden education program is crawling with excitement—thanks to ants! Over the next seven weeks, a mighty team of intrepid Ground Ed educators are giving students a new kind of farm to explore. Across LBUSD, students are diving headfirst into the hidden, bustling world of ants, those tiny yet powerful members of our garden ecosystems. With curiosity as their compass, children are discovering how these insects play an essential role in the environment and learning a lot about themselves in the process. Our newest summer hands-on unit introduces students to real Novomessor ant colonies, housed in clear formicariums (ant farms, to you and me) that allow for up-close observation. These interactive enclosures provide a rare peek into underground life, where workers forage for food, care for eggs, and keep the colony thriving. Students watch in awe as these small creatures demonstrate teamwork, resilience, and community—all in real time. But the learning doesn’t stop behind the glass. Through imaginative roleplay, students become the ants, scurrying across garden paths in search of “food” and using makeshift “mandibles” to transport and protect their “eggs,” mimicking the structure and cooperation of a real colony. This kinesthetic experience helps complex concepts like ecosystems, biodiversity, and food chains become tangible and real. And by observing how these industrious insects contribute to soil health, seed dispersal, and pest control, students begin to understand that every creature, no matter how small, has a vital role to play. Then it’s off to the garden! Inspired by their tiny teachers, students get their hands dirty planting seeds, tasting ripe summer fruits, and enjoying nature. These activities deepen their connection to the land, fostering a sense of wonder and responsibility for the world around them. At its heart, this unique summer program is about much more than insects and gardens. It’s about cultivating care. We’re thrilled to help nurture the next generation of environmental stewards, teaching them to look closer, dig deeper, and act with empathy, one tiny ant at a time. We hope we’ve inspired newfound appreciation for the next time you spot a tiny ant on its journey near your home. Ant-sy to learn more? Stay in touch via social media. |
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July 2025
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