Challenge 4: Help a Bird Out!98
1 1
grade grade
STEMulating Design Challenges in Science, Grades K–2
Vocabulary
Materials
For the teacher
• bird nest (optional)
• image or video of birds that are native to your area and their nests, if possible
• 3–4 eggs (small wooden bird eggs or bird egg-size beads, marbles, or rubber balls)
• "tree" (See the Advance Preparation section.)
• box or drop cloth (optional)
• high-powered hair dryer or fan
• bucket or access to a sink
• water
• watering can
• timing device (optional)
For each team
• safety goggles
• nest-building materials such as o strips of natural materials such as cotton, wool, jute, or burlap (See the Advance Preparation section.) o cloth batting, ribbon, and lace (See the Advance Preparation section.) o small yard debris like dry leaves, tiny twigs, cut grass (long and short), pine needles, and moss o cocoa fiber (from hanging basket liners) o feathers (from an old down pillow) o paper
Advance Preparation
interdependence
protection
materials shelter
survive
space
natural
• Collect natural materials such as small sticks, dry grass, dry leaves, pine needles, paper, and moss. Place the natural materials in a freezer for a few days to help get rid of “critters.”
• Cut natural fibers (e.g., cotton, wool, or burlap) and other materials into strips that are 3 to 6 inches long and no wider than 1 inch. If you are providing cocoa fiber, you will need to cut it into strips.
• Collect a branch with a “Y” from the ground or create a “tree” using two sticks or a ruler and a meter stick. Tape the ruler to the meter stick to create a “Y.” The “Y” is where each nest will rest during testing.
• Use your Internet browser to search for videos to show during class using the terms “robins building nest.” Conduct this search prior to class to verify the content is appropriate for the class and the challenge.
Suggested Time Frame
• Ask, Imagine, and Plan: Allow teams 1–2 hours which may be broken down over a few days. This should include time for students to access, explore, and possibly gather materials.
• Create, Test, and Improve: 30–45 minutes for teams to build,
test, and improve their nests
• Evaluate: 2–4 minutes to test each nest
The amount of time needed for this challenge may vary depending on
your students’ research skills and findings.
1 1
grade grade
STEMulating Design Challenges in Science, Grades K–2
Vocabulary
Materials
For the teacher
• bird nest (optional)
• image or video of birds that are native to your area and their nests, if possible
• 3–4 eggs (small wooden bird eggs or bird egg-size beads, marbles, or rubber balls)
• "tree" (See the Advance Preparation section.)
• box or drop cloth (optional)
• high-powered hair dryer or fan
• bucket or access to a sink
• water
• watering can
• timing device (optional)
For each team
• safety goggles
• nest-building materials such as o strips of natural materials such as cotton, wool, jute, or burlap (See the Advance Preparation section.) o cloth batting, ribbon, and lace (See the Advance Preparation section.) o small yard debris like dry leaves, tiny twigs, cut grass (long and short), pine needles, and moss o cocoa fiber (from hanging basket liners) o feathers (from an old down pillow) o paper
Advance Preparation
interdependence
protection
materials shelter
survive
space
natural
• Collect natural materials such as small sticks, dry grass, dry leaves, pine needles, paper, and moss. Place the natural materials in a freezer for a few days to help get rid of “critters.”
• Cut natural fibers (e.g., cotton, wool, or burlap) and other materials into strips that are 3 to 6 inches long and no wider than 1 inch. If you are providing cocoa fiber, you will need to cut it into strips.
• Collect a branch with a “Y” from the ground or create a “tree” using two sticks or a ruler and a meter stick. Tape the ruler to the meter stick to create a “Y.” The “Y” is where each nest will rest during testing.
• Use your Internet browser to search for videos to show during class using the terms “robins building nest.” Conduct this search prior to class to verify the content is appropriate for the class and the challenge.
Suggested Time Frame
• Ask, Imagine, and Plan: Allow teams 1–2 hours which may be broken down over a few days. This should include time for students to access, explore, and possibly gather materials.
• Create, Test, and Improve: 30–45 minutes for teams to build,
test, and improve their nests
• Evaluate: 2–4 minutes to test each nest
The amount of time needed for this challenge may vary depending on
your students’ research skills and findings.
