(FORTUNE Small Business) – Ant-Farm Technology is finally marching into the 21st century, thanks to Fascinations, a Seattle-based toy company. The ten-person, $5 million--plus firm is celebrating its 20th anniversary with the launch of AntWorks. Unlike its dirt or sand counterparts, this galactic ant farm has tunnels made of a clear, congealed gel, so kids of all ages can see the insects tunneling from any angle. The nutrient-filled gel also feeds and waters the ants, a concept first tested by NASA when it packed a similar model aboard the Columbia space shuttle to help a group of schoolkids study ant behavior in zero gravity. Says Fascinations founder Bill Hones, 58: "With our gel material, you put the ants in and just forget about them." --MAGGIE OVERFELT