Waitsfield Play Hive

September 19 - October 5, 2016

Kids from Waitsfield Elementary built a 6 ft. tall play hive structure at their school. The building process involved students from grades K-6 working together to drill, saw, sand, paint, and screw successively shorter 2x4 blocks. 

Session 1

September 19, 2016

The first day of the play hive project at Waitsfield Elementary school started with an introduction to tool safety. Kids in grades K-6 partook in a hands-on demonstration on how to properly use a handsaw, electric jig saw, clamps, drills, screws, and paint.

Session 2

September 26, 2016

On the second day the students were able to get right to work stacking and screwing the blocks they had cut and painted previously. Students worked in small groups rotating between painting, drilling and sawing stations.

Session 3

September 30, 2016

As the play hive grew, the 2x4 blocks become successively shorter to accommodate the gradual inwards taper of the hive shape. By the end of the day the 3-4 graders had to climb onto the structure in order to reach the top row.

Session 4

October 5, 2016

On the final day of the project the kids needed to stand on ladders to continue work. Parent volunteers helped ensure safety and coordinated the eager workers towards the finish line as they fastidiously clamped, cut, and screwed each block to the hive.