Education Technology


JASON: Leaf Cutting Ants - Fungus Farmers

Activity Overview

Rainforests at the Crossroads: Use a TI-73 Explorer™ to become familiar with a graphical technique for measuring the amount of leaves Leaf Cutter Ants chew. Measure the mass of a chewed leaf and then find its area.

Before the Activity

See the attached teacher document (pdf file) for notes and guidelines for this activity.

Print and copy the attached activity document and research article (pdf files) for your class. The research article is in the during the activity section below.

During the Activity

Students will:

  • Use the TI-73 Explorer™ to become familiar with a technique for measuring the amount of leaves Leaf Cutter Ants chew
  • Use a piece of construction paper to simulate a leaf and a hole punch to simulate Leaf Cutter Ants


  • Directions
  • Distribute the activity document and research article to your class
  • Read and discuss the research article
  • Follow the activity procedures outlined in the student document
  • After the Activity

  • Students complete the data analysis section of the activity
  • Discuss the results of the data analysis with your students