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.