STEM Garden Project

Materials:

*a stick   *paint (not watercolor)    *scissors
*small metal objects   *fishing line   *cotton balls
*buttons or other outdoor-safe craft objects

Procedure:

1) Gather your materials and line your workspace with newspaper.

All kinds of animals enjoy garden produce. But if you're like me, you don't always want to share. To keep birds, rabbits, and squirrels from sneaking off with your food, create this fun garden project reminiscent of the orchard noisemaker in MY GRANDPA, MY TREE, AND ME. ​Bonus: It uses all recycled materials! (But it may take several days to complete, depending on dry times.)

2) Paint the metal objects as desired. (I spray-painted mine black to provide consistency, let dry, then sponged in various colors using a cotton ball.)

3) Allow to dry; repeat for the opposite side.
4) Place your stick at the top of your workspace and lay out your objects as desired. (Tip: distribute weight evenly across the stick.) *see image 3 

5) Measure and cut fishing line 1 1/2 times the length of each column. Tie objects to line with a double knot, leaving 4-6 inches free at the top of each piece. (Tip: work one column at a time so your line doesn't get tangled.) There's no science to the spacing in this step. Just secure everything to the line. *see images 4 & 5

*image 4

*image 5

*image 6

*image 3

6) Cut another length of fishing line 1 1/2 times the length of your stick. Tie each end of your line to opposite ends of the stick to form a hanger. (Tip: the wrap-and-tie method provides extra strength.) *see image 6
7) Starting with the two outside columns, tie the lines to the stick at roughly the same distance. This is the part that requires a bit of science. You want to distribute the weight as evenly as possible.

​(Tip: it helps to hang the stick up, or have someone hold it, while you tie.) *see image 7
8) Continue tying columns of objects to the stick, 1 1/2 to 2 inches apart. (Tip: work from the outside-in to maintain balance.)
9) Hang your completed project outside and enjoy!

MY GRANDPA, MY TREE, AND ME

More Book Crafts

*image 7