Constructing a Bottle Ecosystem

The following are instructions on how to construct a pop bottle ecosystem for your earthworms.

Only do this under the direct supervision of an adult.

• utility knife or scissors
• shallow cardboard box
• electric drill with small drill bit

1. Examine the basic parts of a pop bottle.
   
   
   
   
2. Rinse the bottle with warm water only and remove the label.
   
   
3. Remember to save all parts including the bottle and cap.
   
   
4. Lay the bottle on its side. Hold the bottle up against the side and corner of the box to stabilize while rotating. Brace a felt pen against the box with the tip just touching the bottle. Roll the bottle slowly around. This will mark a line on it that you will follow when cutting the top off the bottle.
   
   
   
   
5. Use the utility knife to remove the top portion of the bottle. One person can turn the bottle while the other holds the knife firmly in place. Be extremely careful.
   
   
   
   

   The following series of slides will show you how to cut the top off the bottle.

   
   
   
   
   
   
   
6. Use the electric drill to
   
   
   1. put three or four small holes in the bottle cap
      
      
      
      
      
      
   2. put four to six drainage holes in the bottom of the bottle
      
      
      
      
   3. put 10 to 12 holes in the top of the bottle (these are necessary to make sure enough air gets into the ecosystem.)