Science Connections for Students: Make a Butterfly Hibernation Box

Making real life science connections with hibernation isn't always easy. This Butterfly Hibernation Box makes that real life connection that is so important to kids' learning. Although not all butterflies hibernate in the adult stage, many do. Building this butterfly hibernation box and placing it outside your classroom allows kids to observe hibernation in nature.

Purchase an inexpensive birdhouse and remove the front of the house. Although decorative birdhouses add charm and color to the flower garden or backyard, the outside appearance isn't important to the butterfly hibernation box.

However, to engage children in the process, you may wish to purchase several unfinished birdhouses and allow teams of classmates to paint or decorate the outside of their hibernation box. This may be the perfect opportunity to assign that group project and allow children to make predictions on how the colors effect how many butterflies use the box.

Measure the inside of the birdhouse. Cut 6 to 8 pieces of thin wood about 1/8 to ¼ inch thick, slightly smaller than the dimensions of the interior of the birdhouse. Corrugated cardboard can be used, but is less durable and must be placed in a dry area.

Mount the hibernation box on a tree or post with the open side facing away from the prevailing winter winds in your location. Position it approximately 6 feet from the ground.

Fill the hibernation box with wood pieces allowing them to lean against the side of the box. Do not pack tightly, as the butterflies need small crevices for hibernating.

Place small pebbles between wood partitions to stabilize them and prevent movement during the winter.

Check the butterfly hibernation boxes in early spring to determine if they have been used. Gently move the pieces of wood to reveal hibernating insects. Although the goal is to provide shelter for over-wintering butterflies, you may find other insects, as well.

Provide students with journals to record their discoveries. If you completed the project in groups, refer to the initial predictions. Allow the team to record their observations and report the result back to the class.

Use student results to create graphs or charts, or as a springboard for further investigations. Researching and identifying the insects discovered in the hibernation boxes may lead to further learning for all.

Using hibernation boxes for butterflies and insects makes that vital connection between science concepts and real life. When decorated by the class, hibernation boxes brighten the schoolyard and show off your hard work.

SOURCES:

Sally Roth. Attracting Butterflies and Hummingbirds to Your Backyard. 2001

University of Kentucky Extension. All About Butterflies.