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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
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--------------------------------------------
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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