Introduction
Hello architects! You have been tasked with designing a stable model tower! You are limited to the following materials only: 3 sheets of newspaper, 5 plastic straws, 1m of masking tape, and 3 elastic bands. You will have to explore structural components, engineering, and elements to best support your design.
Task
- You will work independently through the interactive websites and videos to gain knowledge on stable structures.
- Next, you will create a labelled diagram of your tower built with the available materials only.
- Then, you will join up with a partner to evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of each design. A third, collaborative design will be made.
- Last, you will present and explain your diagram.
Process
- Read about the history of skyscrapers here: http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/buildingbig/skyscraper/basics.html#light
- Complete the skyscraper challenge questions for all three scenarios here: http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/buildingbig/skyscraper/challenge/index.html
- Watch the following videos:
Structural Engineering:
Triangles In Strong Structures:
- Draw a detailed diagram of a tower (including materials and measurements!). Remember, you are aiming for not only stability but also height!
- Pair up with a partner to compare designs. What are the strengths and weaknesses of each? Use the strengths from both designs to create a new, collaborative diagram.
- Be prepared to present your diagram and explain the design and elements/components of structural stability.
Evaluation
As you present and discuss your diagram, consider these questions:
What is something you tell us about strong structures from the WebQuest links?
What features of your structure provide stability?
What materials did you choose to incorporate and why?
Were there weaknesses in your initial design? What changes were made when you collaborated?
You will be evaluated on your answers to these questions in the following format:
Level 1: Student has little/limited understanding of structure stability and vaguely describes elements of their design.
Level 2: Student has some understanding of structure stability and partially describes elements of their design.
Level 3: Student has a good understanding of structural stability and appropriately describes elements of their design.
Level 4: Student has an exceptional understanding of structure stability and confidently describes elements of their design.
Conclusion
Congratulations! You've completed this task as an architect! Now onto the creation of your designs using strong structural elements and materials.
Credits
A1.3 use an engineering design process and associated skills to design, build, and test devices, models, structures, and/or systems.
D2.2 describe ways in which the centre of gravity of a structure affects the structure’s stability.
D2.3 identify the magnitude, direction, point of application, and plane of application of the forces applied to a structure.
D2.4 describe the role of symmetry in structures, and identify instances of symmetry in various structures.
D2.5 describe factors that can cause a structure to fail.