Challenge 069 · Ages 11–16
Bird House Kit
Design a flat-pack birdhouse.
Recommended Guided Learning Time: 4 hours
Learners may require additional or fewer hours depending on age, prior experience, pace and the level of development they choose to take their project to.
Primary STEAM area
Engineering
The Challenge
What will your learner investigate?
Can you design a flat-pack birdhouse. and explain the choices that make your solution effective?
Learning outcomes
- Define the design problem and identify useful constraints.
- Build or model a solution using an iterative engineering process.
- Test performance, analyse evidence and improve the design.
Connected learning
Design & Technology: structures and fabrication; Science: habitats and animals; Mathematics: measurement; Geography: local biodiversity.
Dream Areas
Prepare for this Challenge
What you'll need
Here's what may be useful for completing this activity. Requirements may vary depending on the learner, activity format and equipment available.
Materials & consumables
- Laser-safe untreated plywood
- suitable outdoor fixings
- digital design ready to be cut or engraved
- bird-safe reference dimensions.
Equipment, tools & software
- Vector software
- laser cutter
- clamps
- screwdriver
- ruler
- suitable extraction/ventilation.
Safety & preparation
- Adult operates laser
- avoid treated wood and sharp edges
- choose entrance size and drainage for a specified local bird species.
These preparation notes support planning and do not replace a project-specific risk assessment or appropriate adult supervision.