Skills #3: Crafting

Where attained: in the house

SAE Time: 10 hours


I've learned a lot about the different tools I've used to make this birdhouse.
I learned how to use different sized branch cutters to cut branches down to size from large ones to thin ones I've used for decoration.

I learned how to cut the Oxyclean box and the fruit box into walls and roof using scissors and box cutters.

I learned how to use the hot glue gun for the first time. I had to be careful not to touch the tip, since it can easily burn me.

Skill #2: Safety Awareness

Where attained: backyard and house
SAE Time: 30 hours (always have to think safety first!)

In doing this project, I had to first gather the materials to make the birdhouse. I was planning to use tree branches, so I used a branch cutter to cut up the larger branches. You have to be extra careful with using any types of branch cutters, because you can hurt yourself if they're not used properly. The first lesson I learned was that you need to know how thick the branches are and use an appropriate cutter for them.

Assembling the birdhouse thought me more safety lessons in regards to using the many different types of tools I used. Box cutters were especially dangerous, because it was so sharp. I tried to use the scissors most of time, because of this reason. Another tool that I had to be careful with was the hot glue gun. The tip can get very hot, since it melts the solid glue into liquid, so it you touch the tip, it can burn you.

Skill #1: Planning

Where attained: backyard and house
SAE Time: 5 hours

Birdhouses are similar to any other house. There's a roof, walls, a doorway, and materials to cover the house to protect from the environment. My goal this year was to make a birdhouse that's easy to make with materials found at home.

Sample Birdhouse

The first thing I did was research on what the birdhouse should look like. Using the Internet, I saw many different types of birdhouses, and I chose the simplest-looking design. I didn't want to buy any materials, so I only used things that I could find in my house and outside my backyard. I made a plan to gather all the necessary materials to make an eco-friendly birdhouse.

An Oxyclean box was a right size and shape for the frames. To protect from rain, I planned to cover the frame with some household tape and cover it with tree branches I found in my backyard. The plan was to use a hot glue gun to glue the branches all around the house.

Activity #3: Attracting Some Birds

Where attained: backyard
SAE Time: 1 hour a day

After I hung up the birdhouse in my backyard, I wanted to attract some birds to make this project a real success. What I did first was scatter birds seeds that I bought from Petsmart onto the birdhouse, and I did this everyday when I got home from school.

If I saw birds, I would get my camera and take pictures, but I had to be very cautious, because with one little disturbance, they could get spooked and fly away.

Many birds came by to eat the bird seeds. Unfortunately, none came and lived there, and there are a couple of reasons why. One reason is that there were squirrels that came onto the birdhouse and ate all the bird seeds, and they also knocked the birdhouse over, so I had to fix that. Another reason would that there were lawn mowers that came by every day to mow my lawn, and I think the birds got spooked out by them. Either way, I'm still going to keep putting bird seeds onto the house, because I know that a bird will come and make it their home someday.

Activity #2: Assembling the Birdhouse

Where attained: inside house
SAE Time: 10 hours

First thing I did was to gather and cut the branches that will be used for outside decoration.

Next, I've cut the Oxyclean box into the frame and the fruit box into the roof.

Next, I insulated the house using tape and vegetable box to protect from the rain.

I've put them together to make the basic frame.

Lastly, I used a hot glue gun to glue all the cut branches to decorate the outside.

Activity #1: Gathering the Materials

Where attained: backyard and house
SAE Time: 4 hours

I was determined to only use materials that I can find in or around my house. I gathered the branches to cover the birdhouse.

Other materials were leftover household products such as Oxyclean box, box tapes, a plastic salad container, and other household tools. Instead of these materials being thrown out as garbage, I was able to remake them into a usable birdhouse. I can proudly say that my birdhouse was made totally from recycled material.

Final Touches

04/02/11

SAE Time: 3 hours

After the frame was assembled, I gathered all the twigs and branches to cover the birdhouse. I used a hot glue gun to glue the twigs on, starting with the thicker branches. I had some smaller branches leftover, so I used them to fill in the blank spots. It was a lot of fun, yet very tedious since I had a lot of branches to go through. I was able to successfully get it done after 3 long hours.

Now I have a birdhouse that I'll be able to hang up this spring. Hope birds will come and lay their eggs so they can call it their home.

Insulation and assembly

03/12/11

SAE Time: 2 hours

A 1 and 1/2" hole was cut out for the bird's entrance. I gathered the materials to insulate the house.

To prevent the birdhouse from getting wet, I covered the whole house by using a plastic vegetable container and a roll of shipping tape. With the container, I cut it in half and put the two halves inside the house. Afterwards, I covered the entire house with the tape.

Once the parts were fully covered in tape, I assembled the frames.

Basic Birdhouse Shape

01/03/11

SAE Time: 2 hours, 30 minutes

Using a Sharpie marker, I traced a triangular shape with a ruler, so it would form a roof top shape, and then I cut off the top with the box cutter. You have to be very careful when using the box cutter.

For the roof, I used a tangerine box. I cut off the bottom and the sides, and then I folded it in half so it would be long enough to cover the house. Later on, I will glue the roof onto the house.

Here is the basic shape of the bird house, as shown in the picture below.

Getting the Materials and Tools Ready

01/03/11

SAE Time: 30 minutes

The materials I’ve gathered to start the bird house were the following: a ruler, a Sharpie marker, scissors, and a box cutter. I will use the ruler and Sharpie to trace a roof top shape on the old Oxy Clean cardboard box. I will use the box cutter to cut the trace and form the base of the bird house. The scissor will be used for cutting the tangerine box and folding it in half to make the roof top that will be sitting atop the bird house.

I also gathered an old Oxy clean and Tangerine box. Oxy clean box will be the base and the tangerine box will be the roof of the bird house.

Cutting the Branches for the Birdhouse

12/27/2011

SAE Time: 1 hour, 30 minutes


Most of the branches I’ve gathered about two months ago are now quite dry, so it is time for me to start cutting them to the right size. The branches will be used for completely covering the bird house which will help protect it against the weather. The basic shape will be made out of old boxes, so the branches will make it stronger. I’ve cut the branches using just my hands, and it turned out to be tougher than I thought, because the snow made some branches wet.

I think I have enough cut branches to cover the whole bird house.



Finding the Materials

11/10/2010

SAE Time: 1 hour, 30 minutes

I went around the house looking for materials to make my birdhouse. I found couple of boxes, an empty egg container, some string, and tape. I hope to make a good house with the branches I found before. The next step will chopping the branches to workable size.

Finding the Twigs & Branches

11/6/2010

SAE Time: 2 hours

On a Saturday afternoon, I went out to my backyard and neighborhood with my dog looking for branches and twigs for the birdhouse. I'm thinking of using these for the roof and the sides of the birdhouse. I had a hard time finding them, because the yards were mostly cleaned by the lawn workers.

My Idea

10/2/2010

SAE Time: 30 min.

According to my research, the birdhouse will require specific-sized wood panels, and powertools. First of all, I don't know how to use powertools, such as saws and drills. Most likely, I'll probably hurt myself trying to use them. It seems too complicated, and I have to spend a lot of money to buy all the materials. This is why I chose to make something simpler. Instead of using money or using powertools, I'm going to recycle materials that I find in my house. I figured if I could make a birdhouse, then anyone can.

Research

10/25/2010
SAE Time: 60 min.

I decided to do a birdhouse for my SAE project, because I think birds are pretty, and I like them. I did some research on the Internet, and I found this website: http://www.mybackyardplans.com/howtobuildabirdhouse.php.

It showed me everything I needed to know, so I'm going to use the information for my own birdhouse.