Problem-based Learning Project - Bird Feeders for the Lake

"Would you please make some bird feeders for the lake in town?  We would really, really like that!"

The kindergartners invited the high school students involved the Skills USA group to come over for a presentation. The kindergartners and I had a great idea! We were wondering if this group would build bird feeders for a new bird feeding station at the lake in town to help get more of our community interested in birds. I created a PowerPoint slideshow of some different kinds of feeders and what birds may be attracted by each one. The kindergartners took turns explaining each slide and as a group they named off the birds for the Skills USA kids. The kindergartners were a little shy, but they did great on their presentation. At the very end, the last two kids put their hands together as if in prayer and said, "Would you pleeeeeze build these for our town, so we can all see cool birds? Pleeeeze..." 

They older kids agreed to it, so the next step was for both groups to discuss it, so they talked and the big kids said that they will be coming up with plans for the shop and showing the k-kids what the plans look like. Then they will build the bird feeders. We will also need to buy a tube feeder, so we will have to find a way to raise money for that. Of course, keeping the feeders full will be no easy task and I can't do it alone, so later on we will be asking for people to please fill the feeders as needed or make a donation at Fairway Seeds, so that we can get some to haul out there. Now when the warmer months are upon us and folks go for a drive around the lake, not only will they be able to stop and view the turtles on the log, but they may also stop to watch the birds at the bird feeders! I think that there will be many children excited to watch the feeders too!

He said, "This would be really cool to make.  You drill 
some holes into a log and then fill it with suet."

These are some of the birds that might come to 
a platform feeder.  {The platform feeder was 
shown on the previous slide.}

"Some birds like to eat the seeds that fall to the 
ground.  Here are some birds that might come to eat that."

Here are the two groups talking over what 
happens next.  How nice of these high school 
students to do this!  That is impressive!  A big 
thank you to Mr. Barker too!