Thanks for the love,we’re busy! Production time: 1 week

How to Fund Your Classroom Ant Colony: DonorsChoose & Science Grants

Introduction: Budget Is the Barrier—Not the Idea

For many teachers, the biggest obstacle to creating a professional classroom ant colony isn’t interest or curriculum fit—it’s budget.

While toy ant farms are cheap, they fail quickly and rarely deliver meaningful learning outcomes. Professional ant habitats, on the other hand, support long-term observation, real data collection, and authentic scientific inquiry—but they can feel out of reach on a classroom budget.

The good news?
Because ant-keeping naturally aligns with STEM education and NGSS standards, there are multiple proven ways to get your entire project funded—often with $0 out-of-pocket.

1. DonorsChoose: The Most Reliable Option for Teachers

DonorsChoose is one of the most effective tools available for funding classroom science projects.

It’s a teacher-focused crowdfunding platform where educators request materials and donors choose which projects to support. Classroom ant colonies perform especially well here when positioned correctly.

How to Get Funded on DonorsChoose

Focus on the “Living Lab” concept
Donors respond strongly to projects that:

  • Get students away from screens

  • Involve living systems

  • Encourage long-term observation

Position your ant colony as a living laboratory where students observe behavior, ecosystems, and social systems in real time.

Request a complete “Science Station”
Instead of listing individual items, bundle your request as a single learning unit:

  • Professional ant habitat

  • Ant-safe tools

  • Observation materials

  • Curriculum or lesson framework

This makes the project feel intentional, structured, and classroom-ready.

Use student-centered language
Highlight curiosity, ownership, and engagement. Emphasize how students will collect data, make predictions, and revisit observations over time.

2. STEM & Science Grants: Small Grants, Big Impact

Beyond crowdfunding, many teachers successfully fund ant projects through local and national science grants.

Organizations that support innovative science education often look for projects that explore:

  • Social structures

  • Ecosystems and environments

  • Animal behavior

  • Systems thinking

Ant colonies fit perfectly into all of these categories.

Professional organizations such as National Science Teaching Association and local education foundations regularly offer small classroom grants designed specifically for hands-on science initiatives.

Grant Writing Tip

Frame your ant colony as:

  • A long-term observation project

  • A reusable classroom asset

  • A cross-grade or multi-year learning tool

Grant reviewers love projects that continue delivering value beyond a single unit.

3. The ANT SHACK Educator Discount: Stretch Every Dollar Further

Even with funding, every dollar matters.

ANT SHACK offers a 30% permanent discount for verified educators, schools, homeschool programs, and STEM clubs. This allows teachers to:

  • Request less funding

  • Fit within strict grant caps

  • Upgrade from toy kits to professional setups

In many cases, this discount is what makes a full professional habitat possible within a DonorsChoose or small-grant budget.

Conclusion: Budget Shouldn’t Limit Curiosity

A professional classroom ant colony is not a luxury—it’s a powerful, standards-aligned teaching tool.

With the right approach:

  • DonorsChoose can fund your materials

  • Science grants can cover remaining costs

  • Educator discounts can stretch funding even further

With a little planning, it’s entirely possible to bring a thriving ant colony into your classroom without spending personal money.

Support Your Classroom with ANT SHACK

ANT SHACK proudly supports teachers, schools, homeschool educators, and STEM programs with permanent educator discounts.

👉 Learn more about the ANT SHACK Education Program and educator pricing here:
https://www.ant-shack.com/pages/educational-discounts

Back to ANT SHACK Education Blog