Discover Engineering in Central Texas

Grade Level:  Elementary School, 1^st-6^th

Related classroom topics:  Force:  tension, compression; Column, Tripod

Supplies Needed: 

Divide students into groups of 4-6.  Each group should receive: 

·        20 sheets of copier paper

·        20 soda rings from either soda bottles or water bottles

·        Books to test structures

Procedure: 

1.      Give each group the above supplies.

2.      Discuss the different structures one could possibly make to make the structure—see related topics for specific definitions/suggestions.

3.      Instruct students to build a structure that is at least 11” tall in 20 minutes.

4.      Award students for each inch over 11 they build their structure, and the capacity of their structure to hold several textbooks.

Extensions: 

Discuss the following questions:  What factors helped the winning structure to hold more books?  What does this experiment teach you about building structures like supports for bridges?  What weaknesses does this type of structure have?  Name two ways to make the structure stronger.  What would you expect the maximum number of textbooks to be?

Related topics you could discuss:  Tension:  force when you pull on something like pulling a string tight; Compression:  force you exert when you try to crush something; Column:  cylinder that you can make out of lots of different materials that acts as a support leg for a structure; Tripod:  pyramid-like arrangement used to support things like cameras/paintings.

Hints/Tips:  Collect soda rings on your own or with help of the class prior to presentation.  Show presentation of structures that have tripods/columns, i.e. Roman buildings that are still standing today.