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ISEN-ASTC-L is a service of the Association of Science-Technology Centers
Incorporated, a worldwide network of science museums and related institutions.
*****************************************************************************
The E.O. Wilson Biophilia Center at the Nokuse Plantation in Freeport, FL have a Harvester Ant colony cast. The researchers are out of UF in Gainsville. They have a video that is beside the cast as well as a giant ant statue that the kids can climb on. The directors name is Christy Scally and she can get you the name of the folks at UF. I think they used an abandoned mound to create the cast.
Hope this helps.
Jennifer Petro
850-218-7661
[log in to unmask]
--------------------------------------------
On Sun, 12/22/13, Jeremy Stone <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
Subject: Ant Colony Castings
To: [log in to unmask]
Date: Sunday, December 22, 2013, 5:40 PM
ISEN-ASTC-L is a service of the
Association of Science-Technology Centers
Incorporated, a worldwide network of science museums and
related institutions.
*****************************************************************************
Hi all,
Sending this through the old channels since it appears that
my first
attempt through the new forum was preemptive. Thanks
to those of you I've
heard from already and hopefully you can share your thoughts
with the
larger community now.
We are in the process of developing an exhibit to showcase
our developing
pheidole rhea, Big Headed Ants, colony. Recently we've
seen some news
regarding ant colony castings made by pouring melted
aluminum into the
ground and then digging up the solid form. It seems
that something like
this would be a great way of showcasing the hidden intricacy
and structure
of an ant colony. Feeling a little weary as there has
been some recent
controversy in which this is being considered a form of
animal cruelty. It
seems that many of these that are being sold are cast from
fire ant
colonies and I suppose one could consider it an unusual form
of combatting
an invasive pest. Although on the other hand, as it
was recently pointed
out to me, this is certainly "terminally invasive" for the
colony from
which the cast is made.
Have any of you had experiences with showcasing these types
of structures
in a museum or educational setting?
Thoughts on the moral question and or public perception of
the process?
Are there alternative versions to these types of casting
that do not
involve the extermination of the colony?
Below are a few links to this type of work and recent news:
http://metro.co.uk/2013/12/15/ant-colony-artist-responds-to-fierce-insect-killing-criticism-4231049/
http://youtu.be/eevrq7OPqbE
https://www.google.com/search?q=ant+colony+casting&safe=off&sa=X&espv=210&es_sm=91&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&ei=YSu2UriWG8jL2QXzloCQCA&ved=0CCwQsAQ&biw=1437&bih=886
Thanks much and I'm truly interested in hearing any and all
takes on this.
Jeremy
--
Jeremy Stone
Exhibits and Facilities Manager
WonderLab Museum
308 West 4th Street
Bloomington Indiana 47404
PH:812.337.1337x22
PX:812.330.1337
[log in to unmask]
http://wonderlab.org
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For information about the Association of Science-Technology Centers and the Informal Science Education Network please visit www.astc.org.
Check out the latest case studies and reviews on ExhibitFiles at www.exhibitfiles.org.
The ISEN-ASTC-L email list is powered by LISTSERVR software from L-Soft. To learn more, visit
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