ROXANNE TROUP CHILDREN'S AUTHOR
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STEM Garden Project

3/18/2023

 
completed art 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.)
craft materials including buttons, washers, metal nuts, soda pop tabs, paint, and fishing line
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.)
painting found metal objects
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
Picture
*image 4
painted metal objects strung on fishing line
*image 5
wrapping a stick with fishing line
*image 6
painted metal objects arranged in a multi-column pattern
*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
partially completed art project hanging by a doorknob
*image 7

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    Roxanne Troup

    Children's author writing about nature and family.

    Categories

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    Pecan
    Seasonal
    STEM Activity

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  • Home
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    • Bio
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