AntWatch Introduction to the Curricula

Curricula Introduction

In this section, we attempt to provide curricula for use in support of ant study in the Hawaiian Islands. This is not an attempt to be comprehensive, but instead we highlight some of the crucial concepts and examples that illustrate the importance of the Hawaiian environment to our health, lifestyle and aesthetic enjoyment, and the tremendous impacts that introduced species, such as ants, might have on this environment. You will find some images, descriptions, slide shows, and some ideas for future explorations on your own. We also provide some links to other websites and resources that will help you as you broaden your search. All we can do is scratch the surface on this website; the real learning takes place outdoors, in your interest and inquiry into Hawaiian natural history in your backyard and beyond.

In the first section of the curricula, there is a brief introduction to the tremendous natural history of the Hawaiian Islands: the geology, animals, plants, and their evolution. Then there is a section describing the importance of introduced, or non-native, species and their ecological impacts in Hawai`i. Next, there is a section concerning the biology of ants in general, and their specific relevance to the islands, and some ways we can collect and identify them. This is at the heart of AntWatch Hawai'i: the effort to collect and identify ants from a range of geographic locations throughout the islands. This way, we can monitor which species are here, and watch for new ones that might be introduced. To support this effort, there is a short unit on geography and mapping, with detailed instructions on how Geographical Positioning Systems can assist us with this work. Finally, it has been said that nothing in biology makes sense except in the light of evolution, and this is certainly true when studying Hawaiian natural history. Thus, we present a short exercise you can use to study the mechanism of evolution by natural selection, thought to be the major way that species evolve over time.

These curricula were developed with the State of Hawaii Content and Performance Standards firmly in mind. It is hoped that teachers can use these materials while adhering to efforts to reform educational expectations in the state. Click here to see some ways this program can apply to content standards for 9-12 grade students. Several specific content areas are addressed, but the habits of mind, or Domain I standards are considered with the highest priority.