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Make a Bug Hotel from Recycled Materials

Make a Bug Hotel from Recycled Materials

Help the important pollinators in your area by building a bug hotel. This hands-on lesson will help kids learn more about insects, pollinators and decomposers and how helping these bugs are important by using these templates and worksheets to guide the activity. 

Materials Needed for this Bug Hotel STEM Project:

Some items are linked to my Amazon Affiliate account. When you purchase through my link, there is no added cost to you, but I receive a small commission in return.

 

Watch the video on how to make this Bug Hotel from Recycled Materials:

 

Let’s slow it down with step-by-step directions on how to make this bug hotel from recycled materials. For more detailed teaching instructions using the Engineering Design Process, you can get that here. 

Step 1:

Trace and cut two rectangle pieces of cardboard that fit inside your container.

Step 2:

Cut halfway down the middle of each piece of cardboard. Stack each piece by criss-crossing them in the slot to form a letter ‘X’

Step 3:

Place the cardboard ‘X’ inside the container.

 

Fill each side of the ‘X’ shape with recycled materials. Make sure to leave room for natural materials. Fold the cardboard tube to create sections.

Step 5:

Cut the straws in half and wrap them together in a bundle using a pipe cleaner.

Step 6:

Cut small rectangles out of thin cardboard and roll into cinnamon roll shapes.

Step 7:

Fill the rest of the bug hotel with natural items from outside. If you’re not adding things from nature right away, print this label on sticker paper and attach to the side of the container. 

 

Need a full lesson for this activity? You can grab that here in my TpT shop!

If you are looking for…

  • A Low-prep STEM lesson & easy-to-find materials
  • An engaging, hands-on activity that has guided directions
  • Opportunities for students to add their creativity
  • A quick, one-day STEM lesson for after-school clubs, homework extensions, homeschool projects (and more!)

Then this resource is PERFECT FOR YOU!

 

 

This product includes:

  • Easy project with simple materials
  • Digital & Printable
  • Written & video directions
  • Content-specific vocabulary
  • Science behind the project
  • Resources to explore the topic more
  • Experiment to test the design

 

Grab the full lesson HERE!

 

 

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More About The Author, Naomi Meredith

Naomi Meredith is a K-5 STEM educator and business owner in Colorado supporting elementary teachers world-wide navigate the best practices, strategies and tools out there. She has over a decade of experience teaching, 5 years teaching elementary STEM, along with a M.Ed. in STEM Leadership and STEM Certificate.

She offers a variety of resources to help teachers feel successful teaching STEM to their elementary students through lesson plans, online courses, coaching and speaking events.

She truly believes that any teacher out there can learn how to use STEM, innovation and hands-on learning in their classrooms effectively. She can’t wait to connect with you and be your guide!

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