About the San Diego Urban Ant Project
San Diego is a biodiversity hotspot, with thousands of different species of plants and animals. Our county is estimated to have several hundred different species of ants, each with a unique role to play in the ecosystem. The introduction of the invasive Argentine Ant has caused disruption in our local habitats. Therefore, the presence or absence of the Argentine Ant in urban areas is of interest to local scientists. Students across High Tech High campuses are working with the Holway Lab at UC San Diego as part of the "San Diego Urban Ant Project." This citizen science project is aimed at mapping the presence of the invasive Argentine Ant, responsible for the decline and absence of native ants when present. As citizen scientists, students actively participate in the scientific process through data collection, data analysis, and communication of findings. This unique opportunity to contribute to a long-term ecological research study provides a real world context for students to learn the science of living things and their interdependence on each other and the environment. Students from kindergarten through eleventh grade will be investigating ants in our urban and natural environments. From schoolyards, backyards, and neighborhood parks to local natural reserves and protected areas, students will be assessing and reporting their findings to our University and community partners to further our understanding of the impacts of invasive species on our local ecosystems. |