Kitty Combat

Hello Everyone!

Okay for today I thought that our activity could be a bit of an internet quarantine trend: Cat Tanks. This project would be fun for everyone in the family.



For this project, you will only need cardboard, tape/glue, and scissors! You can use paint or any extra materials you have to make it personalized.



For the design of your tank, there are no specific requirements or suggestions whatsoever. Find a picture you like and be creative! These examples were on Buzzfeed.com, there are many more options for designs there-check it out!



Don't forget to leave a few holes throughout the tank so your cat(s) can crawl inside. Make sure you take some epic pictures to showcase online.



As always, have fun and be creative!

Building Bird's Nests

Hello Everyone,

Today we are building bird's nests! This is a great STEM project for the whole family. When we are all thinking about how thankful we are to be together and to be safe sometimes it is nice to do a good thing for another. Today that nice thing is for a bird!



The fun thing about building a bird's nest is that all of the materials are free and you can find them in nature. So for this activity, there are no specific requirements for materials-just use what you can find.

Here is a WIKI-HOW tutorial about making a bird's nest: https://www.wikihow.com/Make-a-Bird-Nest. There is no need to decorate your nest, once complete carry it outside and find a safe nook in a tree and leave it for a bird!



Check back in a few days to see if a bird has chosen your nest!

As always, have fun and be creative!

Dream Catcher

Hello Everyone!

Today we have a great project for Middle-High School students and community members we are going to be creating a dream catcher. Like so many of our projects, this activity is grounded in history specifically the historical beliefs and practices of Native American Tribes. Check out this short little history of dream catchers video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=faBtA2OFOi0.



The amazing thing about dreamcatchers is that everyone's will look completely different. By using different materials, things that inspire or influence you personally will help to give your dream catcher special meaning and it will look unique!

Materials:
A loop
Twine
Beads
Feathers
Anything else that you choose to use

Directions:

Follow the steps below to help you create 'weave' your dream catcher. Everything else is just extra! You can hang flowers from the bottom, string beads into the web or the bottom or even add flowers or lace-whatever you want!



Now the hard work is done! From here just make it your own!



As always, have fun and be creative!

Abstract Photography Lens Additions

Hello Everyone!

Today we have a MS and HS project for our FPLS students we are going to be creating camera lens additions to help create cool photo effects.



All of our images and information have come from this blog: https://craftedincarhartt.wordpress.com/2014/09/30/photography-hacks-9-diy-camera-filters/amp/ if you would like to check it out. She comes up with some fantastic photography lens hacks!

If you are doing this post for credit please submit three final pictures with your lens addition! So we can see your diy (lens) in one image and two awesome photographs too.

















As always, have fun and be creative!

Fiber Bowl

Hello Everyone!

Today we have a project that can easily be scaled for all FPLS students and community members, we are going to be making fiber bowls!



Materials:
A balloon
Elmer's Glue or Mod-Podge
Buttons or dried flowers as accessories for design
Yarn or String



Directions:

Step One:
Blow up your balloon. Then in a process much like paper mache dip your string or Mod-Podge and then apply it to the bottom (not spout end) of the balloon.

Step Two:
Continue to add your thread and strings in a layering effect so that there is a substantial base for the bowl.

Step Three:
After you have applies all of the strings/yarn to create your bowl shape you may use the same method to apply buttons or dried flowers to the outside of your bowl.

Step Four:
Allow your bowl to sit in the balloon and dry for 1-2 days then using a needle pop the balloon and pull out the balloon remnants. 



As always, have fun and be creative!

Bug Hotel

Hello Everyone,

Today we are going to create an outdoor home for bees and bugs, we are making a Bug Hotel. This project is a great introduction to STEM observations and as always some extra special creativity skills.



Materials:
(All of the materials for this project are easily interchanged for whatever you have available, so feel free to use these examples as a template and you can modify as needed.)

Cardboard
Sticks
Box
Reeds or hollow tubes



Directions:

You can be as fancy or as simple as this project as you like! Some people drill holes into boards to creates places for insects to burrow while some people (as depicted in our materials list) only use materials easily found around their homes.

Using a box as a template place as many varied materials securely within the box. Make sure to leave little places and gaps between materials to promote little havens for bees and insects.

Hang your box on a tree or lean it up against a fence. Be sure to go and check out your Bug Hotel and see if you have any visitors after a few days!



As always, have fun and be creative!

Nature Masquerade Mask

Hello Everyone!

Today we found inspiration from nature once more, we will be making nature masquerade masks! This activity is great for all ages.



Materials:
Scissors
Cardboard
Hot Glue or Elmers Glue
Nature Elements (petals, leaves, whatever you find in nature!)
A stick
Tape (for support)



Directions:

Step One:
Cut out a basic mask shape from the cardboard. You do not need something extravagant at this point, but a basic over the nose around the eyes mask shape.

Step Two:
Using your nature elements lay decorate your mask. Consider things like pattern, color, and texture while placing your elements.

Step Three:
Secure your elements with hot glue or Elmer's Glue.

Step Four:
Secure your stick to the back of your mask using hot glue. For added support add a strip of tape down the back of the mask where the stick attaches.



As always, have fun and be creative!