Bug Hotel: A Community for Critters
Inquiry Framework
Question Framework
Driving Question
The overarching question that guides the entire project.How can we design, build, and observe a bug hotel to understand the needs and interactions of insects within their environment?Essential Questions
Supporting questions that break down major concepts.- How do insects interact with their environment?
- What do insects need to survive and grow?
- How can we design a habitat for insects?
- How can we measure and record insect activity in our bug hotel?
- How can we use technology to research and present our findings about insects?
Standards & Learning Goals
Learning Goals
By the end of this project, students will be able to:- Students will be able to design and construct a bug hotel that provides suitable habitats for various insects.
- Students will observe and document the types of insects that inhabit the bug hotel, recording their behaviors and interactions.
- Students will identify and explain the needs of insects for survival, including food, water, shelter, and space.
- Students will use appropriate tools and technology to research insect habitats, create design plans, and present findings.
- Students will measure and record environmental data (e.g., temperature, humidity) inside and outside the bug hotel.
Entry Events
Events that will be used to introduce the project to studentsBug Hotel Grand Opening Ceremony
**Bug Hotel Grand Opening Ceremony:** Host a "Grand Opening" of a pre-built, but empty, bug hotel. Students act as entomologists, community members, and local news reporters. This creates immediate excitement and establishes the purpose of the project: to design and build a better, more inviting bug hotel.Portfolio Activities
Portfolio Activities
These activities progressively build towards your learning goals, with each submission contributing to the student's final portfolio.Bug Hotel Blueprints
Students brainstorm and sketch initial designs for their bug hotel, considering the needs of different insects. They research local insect species and their preferred habitats.Steps
Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.Final Product
What students will submit as the final product of the activityA detailed sketch of the bug hotel design with labeled sections indicating materials and target insect species.Alignment
How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsAddresses the learning goal: 'Students will be able to design and construct a bug hotel that provides suitable habitats for various insects.' and aligns with the standard 'Living things need other living things and non-living things for growth.'Construction Crew
Students gather natural and repurposed materials to construct their bug hotels based on their designs. They document the construction process with photos or videos.Steps
Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.Final Product
What students will submit as the final product of the activityA partially constructed bug hotel and a photo/video log of the construction process.Alignment
How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsAddresses the learning goal: 'Students will use appropriate tools and technology to research insect habitats, create design plans, and present findings.' and aligns with the standard 'Living things need other living things and non-living things for growth.'Insect Investigators
Students set up their bug hotels in a suitable outdoor location and begin observing insect activity. They record their observations in a science journal, noting the types of insects, their behaviors, and the date and time of each observation.Steps
Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.Final Product
What students will submit as the final product of the activityA science journal with detailed observations of insect activity in and around the bug hotel.Alignment
How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsAddresses the learning goal: 'Students will observe and document the types of insects that inhabit the bug hotel, recording their behaviors and interactions.' and aligns with the standard 'Living things need other living things and non-living things for growth.'Bug Hotel Experts
Students create a presentation (poster, slideshow, or short video) summarizing their findings. They explain the types of insects they observed, their needs for survival, and how the bug hotel meets those needs.Steps
Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.Final Product
What students will submit as the final product of the activityA presentation that effectively communicates their research and learning about insect habitats and needs.Alignment
How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsAddresses the learning goal: 'Students will identify and explain the needs of insects for survival, including food, water, shelter, and space.' and aligns with the standard 'Living things need other living things and non-living things for growth.'Rubric & Reflection
Portfolio Rubric
Grading criteria for assessing the overall project portfolioBug Hotel Project Rubric
Design and Sketching
Evaluates the student's ability to brainstorm, research, and create detailed designs for the bug hotel.Research and Brainstorming
Quality of research and brainstorming efforts about local insects and their habitat needs.
Exemplary
4 PointsConducts thorough research, showing comprehensive understanding of local insects and their needs, with innovative ideas.
Proficient
3 PointsConducts adequate research, showing good understanding and relevant ideas about local insects and their needs.
Developing
2 PointsConducts limited research with basic understanding and some ideas about local insects and their needs.
Beginning
1 PointsConducts minimal research with minimal understanding of local insects and their needs.
Design Quality
Detail, creativity, and completeness of the bug hotel sketches.
Exemplary
4 PointsSketch is highly detailed, creative, and fully labeled, showing deep integration of research findings.
Proficient
3 PointsSketch is detailed, creative, and labeled, integrating research findings adequately.
Developing
2 PointsSketch is basic with some labels, showing partial application of research findings.
Beginning
1 PointsSketch is incomplete with few labels, showing limited application of research findings.
Construction and Documentation
Evaluates the hands-on construction process and the documentation of the building steps.Material Selection and Use
Appropriateness and creativity in selecting and using materials for the bug hotel.
Exemplary
4 PointsSelects and uses materials creatively and effectively, enhancing the function and appeal of the bug hotel.
Proficient
3 PointsSelects and uses appropriate materials adequately for the bug hotel.
Developing
2 PointsSelects materials with limited appropriateness; partially effective use for the bug hotel.
Beginning
1 PointsStruggles to select appropriate materials; limited effectiveness in use.
Documentation Quality
Clarity and detail of photo/video documentation during construction.
Exemplary
4 PointsProvides clear, detailed photo/video records, effectively documenting each construction step.
Proficient
3 PointsProvides adequate photo/video records, clearly documenting most construction steps.
Developing
2 PointsProvides inconsistent photo/video records, documenting some construction steps.
Beginning
1 PointsProvides minimal photo/video records, with little construction process documentation.
Observation and Recording
Evaluates the student's observations and recordings of insect activities in and around the bug hotel.Observation Skills
The ability to observe and record insect activity accurately and thoroughly.
Exemplary
4 PointsObservations are thorough, with insightful and detailed recordings of insect activities.
Proficient
3 PointsObservations are adequate, with clear and relevant recordings of insect activities.
Developing
2 PointsObservations are basic, with some relevant recordings of insect activities.
Beginning
1 PointsObservations are minimal, with incomplete or unclear recordings.
Presentation and Communication
Evaluates the final presentation of findings and the effectiveness of communication.Content Understanding
Depth of understanding shown through the presentation content about insect needs and the bug hotel.
Exemplary
4 PointsDemonstrates comprehensive understanding with thorough, insightful explanation of insect needs and habitat functions.
Proficient
3 PointsDemonstrates adequate understanding with clear explanations of insect needs and habitat functions.
Developing
2 PointsDemonstrates basic understanding with some explanations of insect needs and habitat functions.
Beginning
1 PointsDemonstrates limited understanding with minimal explanation of insect needs and habitat functions.
Communication Skills
Effectiveness and clarity in communicating findings through chosen presentation format (poster, slideshow, or video).
Exemplary
4 PointsCommunicates findings with clarity and creativity, using the presentation format innovatively and effectively.
Proficient
3 PointsCommunicates findings clearly and adequately, using the presentation format effectively.
Developing
2 PointsCommunicates findings with some clarity, using the presentation format with partial effectiveness.
Beginning
1 PointsStruggles to communicate findings clearly, with limited effectiveness in using the presentation format.