Safe as houses

A SMALL group of students from Heathcote Primary School recently completed an applied learning project making nest boxes for birds and small animals.

The students were from years 3 to 5.

“We have been working on the project every Thursday,” STEM teacher David Close said.

Members of the local Men’s Shed also participated.

“The students researched which birds and other small animals are present in our school yard and the types of nesting boxes that would be suitable for them,” Mr Close said.

“They then designed nesting boxes for specific animals.

“This process incorporated elements of the numeracy curriculum learning area along with the personal and social capability.

“The Men’s Shed members worked their magic and used the student designs to cut pieces of wood to the required shape, creating flat pack versions of the nesting boxes.

“Students assembled the nesting boxes over several weeks, trouble-shooting construction challenges along the way and working together to create the final products.

“They have all learned a lot and [have] come a long way in a few weeks.”

Troy Day of the Men’s Shed said the students did a great job in researching and designing the nesting boxes.

“They put a lot into researching the birds and small animals and came up with appropriate designs on paper,” he said.

“After we cut out the pieces, they assembled and painted their boxes.

“They all look great.”

The students are now looking forward enthusiastically to seeing their nesting boxes occupied, with some hoping for rosellas, willy wagtails or falcons.

Some will take their boxes home and others will place them in trees at the school.

“It was good that we got out of maths to work on the nesting boxes,” Charlotte B said.

“And we all had a lot of fun.”