Bugs! They come in all colors, shapes, and sizes. We’re sure you’ve noticed that, for better or for worse, some some bugs get more hype than others. Let’s take a look at some examples below.

LADYBUGS: Did you know that ladybugs are considered lucky? This is probably because they eat other types of bugs that feast on crops, so farmers find them very useful. In fact, some people say that counting a ladybug’s spots is an easy way to determine how many years of luck they will enjoy in the future.

Encourage your students to make their own luck by doodling a ladybug with their 3D pens. 

BEES: According to the Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations, up to 94% of the Earth’s flower and seed-producing plants depend on bees and other animal pollinators to live. Yet, the bee population has been dying off at a rate of 29% per year since 2006. Since bees play such an important part in our ecosystem, many people are becoming alarmed and working now to “save the bees.”

Learn what your students can do to help via these tips. 

CICADAS: Billions of Brood X cicadas emerged across the eastern US in May 2021. The large-scale event happens every 17 years. When the insects do appear, they make an impressive amount of noise.

Remind your students that Cicadas are not harmful to humans or animals. 

We’re Bugging Out!

Feeling a little creeped out with all of this bug-talk? You’re not alone. One of the most common types of phobia is entomophobia, an extreme fear of insects. But while some people “bug out” at any mention of bugs, most kids think that bugs are awesome!

Here are 25 cool things about bugs from National Geographic Kids. And here are a few more interesting facts about bugs we recently learned:

Cicada Mania

In the summer of 2021, Cicada Brood X will emerge from the ground in 14 different states in the eastern US. Soon billions of Cicadas will be filling the air with their buzz-saw sound calls. So we thought it would be fitting to challenge everyone to Doodle a realistic Cicada of their very own!

Download this free stencil of a cicada to help your students Doodle an amazing bug of their own. Check out our full tutorial on how to Doodle a 3D cicada here.

Announcing New Color Bundles

To get this project off to a flying start, 3Doodler has developed some exciting new color bundles for you to explore. From neon hues to vibrant metallic tones, and many colors in between, we can’t wait for you to go bug-eyed at the deals we created to help your students bring their ideas to life.

• Use the Space Bundle to Doodle a glow-in-the-dark firefly
• Use the Metallic Bundle to recreate the shiny jewel beetle
• Use the Highlighter Bundle to design their own bioluminescent railroad worms

The possibilities are endless. We’re also offering two mystery bundles at even steeper discounts for those of you who enjoy being surprised!

Again, what better way to celebrate the new color options than to doodle your favorite bugs — or create new variations? Download our bug stencil today and use your favorite new plastics to trace and embellish your own creepy crawler.