Pollinator Hotel Challenge

Consumables:

• Bamboo stems or canes (cut into different lengths)
• Untreated wood blocks or wooden scraps
• Pinecones
• Twigs or small branches
• Paper straws or cardboard tubes
• Natural string or twine
• Optional: dried leaves, bark, or other natural nesting materials

Non-Consumables:

• Cardboard or recycled containers (optional frame)
• Hand saw or pruning shears (teacher use, if needed)
• Scissors
• Hot glue gun or wood glue
• Masking tape or clamps (optional)
• Rulers or measuring tapes
• Pencils and paper for planning
• Observation sheet or science notebook
• Optional: magnifying glasses for observing insects during follow-up

Important note about natural materials:

Whenever possible, use recycled, reclaimed, or sustainably sourced materials when building pollinator hotels. Avoid collecting bamboo, wood, bark, twigs, or other natural materials from parks, forests, or protected areas, where they provide important habitat for wildlife and contribute to healthy ecosystems. If collecting natural materials, only gather small amounts of fallen branches, twigs, or other loose materials from places where their removal will not cause ecological damage, and never remove materials from living plants or disturb existing insect habitats. This is an opportunity to discuss how sustainable engineering begins with responsible material selection and thoughtful use of natural resources.

Students investigate the role of native pollinators in local ecosystems and explore why pollinator populations are declining. Using the Engineering Design Process, they research the nesting needs of pollinators found in British Columbia, then design, build, and test a pollinator hotel using sustainable and recycled materials. If installed outdoors, students can monitor their designs over time to observe which pollinators visit and evaluate how effectively their habitat supports local biodiversity.