Top

Teaching Science with Lynda R. Williams

Elementary Science Ideas, Lessons, and Resources

Bee Safe Wasp Catcher-The Maker Movement

by 1 Comment

The Maker Movement:   Part techie, part Do-It Yourself.  The Make Movement has its emphasis, simply put: on having students and adults make something.  The Maker Movement encourages creativity, new ideas, innovation and thinking outside the box.   Some of the makers are actual entrepreneurs and inventors.   Other Makers are amateurs or enthusiasts from a certain area of interest such as electronics or gardening.   Maker Faires are popping up all over the place.  For more information on Maker Faires see https://makerfaire.com/maker-movement/

Today I am going to show you a simple DIY maker that can be a fun and successful entry into the Maker world.

Background:   What is the necessity for this invention?   During the summer my garden is plagued by wasps.   They buzz around the cat’s food, humming bird feeder, pond and chicken coop.   They are annoying at picnics.  I really want to deter them, but I am uncomfortable with pesticides and reluctant to trap the helpful bees in the area.

How to make a wasp catcher that won’t harm the bees:

1. Start with an empty two liter soda bottle

2. Cut off the top and turn it over so it is like a funnel.  Place inside the empty bottle.  Set aside.
3. Mix 4 parts water to 1 part white sugar, heat in a medium saucepan.   (Incidentally, this is also my recipe for humming bird food) Allow mixture to cool.   
4. Poor cooled mixture into the bottom of the soda bottle.  About 1.5 -2 inches high.    Add 2-3 drops of white vinegar.   ( The vinegar attracts the wasps, as they seem to enjoy a more salty/fermented mixture, but will not attract bees). 
5.  Place it outside near your wasp gathering.  The wasps go in through the opening, but seem to have trouble figuring out how to get out.   

When you have collected all the wasps that you want, you can discard the dead wasps and restart the process.    
If you like this idea, you might like my products Make a Shape Book and Templates for Interactive Notebooks
Please follow my blog by clicking the g+follow button or the follow by email button.  
Enter the raffle on the side bar to win a great prize.  

Comments

Leave a Reply

Start Here

I am so impressed with this unit which manages to be distance learning and hands-on at the same time.  Really well thought out and engaging activities that allow students to practice each of the eight Science and Engineering Practices.  Really no prep for me!

 
Science and Engineering Practices Distance Education Unit

Tina S

Teaching Science with Lynda R. Williams
5
2016-05-03T18:05:39-06:00

Tina S

I am so impressed with this unit which manages to be distance learning and hands-on at the same time.  Really well thought out and engaging activities that allow students to practice each of the eight Science and Engineering Practices.  Really no prep for me!   Science and Engineering Practices Distance Education Unit
The elephant article was excellent but I also thought the lab on dissecting a flower was broken down so easily, even telling me where to get inexpensive flowers!  This resource helped me teach this challenging standard in an engaging way.  Worth every penny!

 
Structure and Function NGSS 4-LS1-1 and 4-LS1-2

Richard S

Teaching Science with Lynda R. Williams
5
2016-05-03T18:07:52-06:00

Richard S

The elephant article was excellent but I also thought the lab on dissecting a flower was broken down so easily, even telling me where to get inexpensive flowers!  This resource helped me teach this challenging standard in an engaging way.  Worth every penny!   Structure and Function NGSS 4-LS1-1 and 4-LS1-2
As always, Lynda provides perfect alignment with the standards.

 
Age of the Earth and Geologic Time Scale NGSS MS ESS1-4

Sharon M

Teaching Science with Lynda R. Williams
5
2016-05-03T18:24:44-06:00

Sharon M

As always, Lynda provides perfect alignment with the standards.   Age of the Earth and Geologic Time Scale NGSS MS ESS1-4
Thank you so much for creating this resource! It is such a fun and engaging activity for my students, especially during distance learning.

 
Honey Bee Digital Escape Distance Learning

Expedition Fourth

Teaching Science with Lynda R. Williams
2020-11-03T20:44:55-07:00

Expedition Fourth

Thank you so much for creating this resource! It is such a fun and engaging activity for my students, especially during distance learning.   Honey Bee Digital Escape Distance Learning
My students loved this unit. I was able to present different elements of it throughout the month. It is hard to find interesting non-fictional, age-appropriate text for my students that they will enjoy. This was a great unit that aligned well for my students who have very different goals within the same group.

 
Compare and Contrast Two Texts on Reindeer

Heidi J

Teaching Science with Lynda R. Williams
2020-11-03T20:45:49-07:00

Heidi J

My students loved this unit. I was able to present different elements of it throughout the month. It is hard to find interesting non-fictional, age-appropriate text for my students that they will enjoy. This was a great unit that aligned well for my students who have very different goals within the same group.   Compare and Contrast Two Texts on Reindeer
5
3
Teaching Science with Lynda R. Williams

Free

Capillary Action Experiment

Get this free resource today

Check your email!

Access Purchases

Let’s Get Social