As we wrap up another fantastic school year, we want to thank you for being part of the Research Quest community. We’re so inspired by the incredible work you do with your students!
This month we were excited to receive the Public Media Award for Digital Media from the National Educational Telecommunications Association (NETA)—honoring the Museum’s work on Research Quest with the Utah Education Network. The award (pictured above) is a meaningful reminder of what we’ve built together. We’re proud to share this recognition with you—our amazing educators—because your use of Research Quest helps make it all possible.
Thank you for being part of it. Have a restful, well-deserved summer. We’ll see you in the fall!
Why Are Fungus Farming Ants So Good At Surviving?
We’ve just wrapped-up beta testing for our newest investigation—the first one designed specifically for 3rd graders! Thanks to input from educators across the U.S., we’re now reviewing survey responses and interview notes to make key revisions.
We aim to publish this new investigation in August 2025. In the meantime, you’re welcome to log in as a student and explore the beta-version.
Educators told us one of the biggest highlights was how engaged their students were. Interactive activities like the “Be the Ant” comic and “Be the Scientist” experiment helped students learn in fun, hands-on ways. “It’s a great way to grab their attention and make a science topic feel exciting and relevant.” – FFA Beta Testing Feedback
LOG IN AND LEARN MORE HERE.
“My favorite part about doing this investigation with my students was definitely the interactive elements—especially the ‘Be the Ant’ comic and the experiment where students get to simulate the fungus farming ant community. Watching my students actively engage with the material, taking on the role of an ant, and experiencing firsthand how the ants work together to grow fungus, was really rewarding.”
3rd Grade Teacher | Queens | New York
As we head into the summer we are excited to implement improvements to our educator website.
Over the past ten years, our catalog of investigations has grown from just 3 to 15—and it’s time our website grows with it. This summer, we’re rolling out an updated version of the Research Quest website to make it easier for educators to explore our content.
Soon, you’ll be able to browse the entire catalog of Investigations from a single page. Each investigation will also have its own dedicated page, making Investigation overviews and support materials simpler to find and use.
Look for these exciting updates to go live in August—we can’t wait for you to see what’s new!
Explore Research Quest with the Curious Kids in Your Life!
Looking to get more familiar with Research Quest investigations? Summer is the perfect time! Revisit ones you love—or try out investigations you haven’t had time to use in your classroom yet. Research Quest Investigations are fun, minds-on activities for learners of all ages—and a great way to prep for the year ahead.
“We must fill our own wells if we want to keep showing up for others. Rest isn’t a luxury—it’s essential.” Elena Aguilar | Author | The Art of Coaching
Research Quest is a program of the Natural History Museum of Utah in partnership with The Utah Education Network
