Green Paws Habitat Challenge - Birdfeeder Design

Think back to the introduction to this challenge. You were asked to observe the animals in the Tritt Elementary habitat, which should be much of the same as you’d find in your own neighborhood. What did you see? What sort of things do they need to survive?

  • Food

  • Sunlight

  • Water

  • Air

  • Space (Habitat)

Using the design process, you will build a bird feeder to provide food to birds in your neighborhood. Be sure to document your project and design process on a piece of paper or in a journal. Let this video from SciShow Kids serve as inspiration, but you can’t copy their designs!

The Engineering Design Process. We’ll use the design process in the video below from Project Lead The Way to solve this problem.

Step 1: Ask. “How can I design a bird feeder?” Gather information that will help you define the problem.

  • When should you offer birds supplemental food?

  • Where should you put your bird feeder?

  • What sorts of foods can you offer birds in your habitat?

Step 2: Explore. Begin researching the problem. Use the Bird Feeders slideshow below for inspiration and discuss your ideas and questions with your family.

Step 3: Model. Design and Build your feeder. Sketch ideas for your bird feeder design using pencils or crayons. Be sure to label the materials you are using, including bird seed as part of the design.

  • What materials will you use? Here are a lit of some ideas:

    • Recyclables, such as toilet paper/paper towel rolls, milk jugs, cardboard boxes, cans, water bottles

    • Natural items, such as pine cones, sticks

    • Sticky foods, such as peanut butter or other nut butters, flour and water paste, shortening, honey

    • Other items, such as bird seed, fresh or dried fruit, seeds or nuts , or egg shells. (NOT BREAD)

  • EMAIL PHOTOS OF YOUR BIRD FEEDER DESIGNS TO MR. GIUNTA.

Step 4: Evaluate. How did your product perform? What were the strengths and weaknesses of your feeder?

  • How often did birds go to your feeder?

  • What sort of birds were you able to identify?

  • Did you have problems with other animals?

Step 5: Explain. Be prepared to discuss your project after Spring Break.

  • EMAIL PHOTOS OF YOUR BIRD FEEDER IN ACTION TO MR. GIUNTA.