Go outside around yourhouse and collect nestbuilding materials like grass,twigs, dirt, rocks, and sand.What kinds of materials canyou find in nature that mighthelp you build your nest?Collect all your materials in abucket or plastic container.

Step 1

Many birds build nests to protect their eggs, and their nestscome in many different shapes and sizes.Can you build a nest as strong as a bird's nest?Build your own bird nest using only materials you find outsideyour home.

Nest materials gathered outside your homeA bucket or plastic container to hold your nest materialsJelly beans or small rocks that you can pretend are your birdeggs

Goal

Materials Needed

eREC Build a Bird Nest

After you have gatheredenough materials, build anest to protect your eggs (afew jelly beans or rocks cansubstitute for eggs).

Step 2

Test the strength of your nestStart by gently blowing on it.Then blow harder or point afan at your nest.Try picking it up. Or shake ita little bit.Does your nest fall apart orstay together?

Step 3

Think about what you can doto make your nest stronger.Hint: some birds weavematerials together like abasket, and some usebinding materials like mud tohelp hold the nest together.Rebuild your nest with a newplan and new materials tomake it stronger.

Step 4

eREC Build a Bird Nest

Test your new nest.Is it stronger than beforeWhat new designs helpedyour nest stay together?

Step 5

ResourcesGo to the link below to watchlive video feeds of birds andtheir nests. You can watcheagles, hummingbirds, owls,and more. You might even getto see them working on theirnest.https://explore.org/livecams Expanded LearningSome birds use human-madematerials that they find outsideto help build their nests. Build anest with some of these human-made materials like bits ofplastic, string, or cloth. Howdoes your nest made withnatural materials compare tothe one with human-madematerials?