Classroom Happenings: Feathered Friends

For several weeks this semester, second graders learned about the fascinating world of birds through hands-on experiences that blended science, engineering, and technology. That’s something to chirp about! 

Winging It
Early this semester, our young birders worked with Bryan Lab Innovation Specialist and Children’s Engineering Teacher Suzanne Casey to create their own birds using recycled materials, including paper tubes, egg crates, yogurt cups, cardboard scraps, and corks. Each creation was designed to be freestanding, incorporate a moving element, and include all the key features of a real bird.

Our young Spartan flock expanded on their knowledge by collaborating with Lower School Technology Facilitator Kathy Karmolinski to contribute to “A Field Guide to Imaginary Birds,” a one-of-a-kind Steward publication that reflects the students’ playfulness and innovation. Each second grader designed an imaginary bird, applying what they had learned about avian adaptations. One student imagined a predator bird with a hooked beak that enjoys grilled steak and has webbed feet for nighttime swimming in the neighborhood pool! The field guide will be finished in the coming weeks. 

Citizen Scientists
Additionally, students engaged as citizen scientists under the guidance of Bryan Innovation Lab Specialist Megan Young, collecting and analyzing data on some of the different bird species spotted on Steward’s campus, including the Red-Winged Blackbird and the Eastern Bluebird. 

Imagination Takes Flight
All of these projects culminated during a March 10 bird extravaganza in and around the Bryan Innovation Lab. The event began outside of the Bryan Lab, as Ms. Young and the students gathered around a wooden bluebird house. She explained that Eastern Bluebirds, native to Virginia, can nest and lay eggs in the birdhouse, which was constructed several years ago by Middle School students.  

Inside the Bryan Lab, students cozied up on the floor as Ms. Young pointed to photos of birds, nests, and trees on a large screen. “We live very closely with birds,” she said.  “When you wake up, do you hear birds singing?” Hands shot up, and she continued, “We can build things to help nature!” Ms. Young explained that birds are diverse and extremely resilient. “They are true architects,” she added, holding up the book “Avian Architecture: How Birds Design, Engineer & Build.” She exclaimed, “You, too, can be an architect today when you build your very own bird nest!”

Students then rotated through three engaging stations: nature journaling, where they drew pictures of Red-Winged Blackbirds; nest building, in which they used blocks of all sizes to fashion bird nests; and birdhouse exploration and mindfulness data collection, in which they gathered materials from the woods outside the Bryan Lab to create nests. 

“When students reflect on their work as citizen scientists, they empathize with nature,” said Ms. Young. “For example, when second graders built nests, they were instructed to try to build using only three fingers, plus plastic clothespins as ‘beaks.’ This was a great way for students to feel closer to the world of birds, who use only their beaks and feet to build and feather their nests.” 

Steward’s strategic plan, Compass 2028, includes six core values (innovation, inspiration, care & respect, individuality, academic achievement, and civil discourse). Many of these core values were touchpoints in the second-graders’ birding project.

Second Grade Teacher Kimberlee Magrill added, “We were thrilled to bring together creativity, exploration, and scientific discovery for this collaborative undertaking. We are so proud of our second graders’ incredible work!”