4.1
BuildingFun
TEACHING CLUES AND CUES
The lessons in this unit
are a set. Plan time to
do them all, for
maximum learning and
enjoyment.
Give yourself plenty of
time for gathering and
cutting materials. There
is potential for some
mess, so leave time for the students
to clean up.
If you are not able to
obtain visuals to
introduce this lesson, do
a quick demonstration
RA T I ONA L E
Students investigate the physical properties of building materials and
design while considering how these might affect the way a structure
withstands forces.
F OCU S QU E S T I ON S
What kind of structure would you build for fun?
What are the properties of some uncommon building materials?
How do structures stand up to extra forces?
OB J E C T I V E S
Students will:
1. Build a model structure.
2. Describe what may happen to a structure when a load is applied.
3. Describe the physical properties of some materials.
MA T E R I A L S
for the teacher
with a deck of cards instead. Build
card houses and let students take
turns knocking them down by
shaking the surface they rest on, or
invite them to build and test the
structures. The point is only that
buildings need more than walls and
a
Q
Master 4.1a, Building Engineering: Teacher Background
Information
Q
Photos, books, slides, and/or videos with images of earthquake
damage (See Unit 1 Resources.)
Q
Band saw or other saw
Q
One brick
for each small group
Q
6 or more sticks of Styrofoam, 2.5 cm x 2.5 cm x 15 cm
l in. x 1 in. x 6 in.)
Q
3 pieces of string, each 30 cm long (
optional
)
Q
10 paper clips (
optional
)
Q
About 20 toothpicks
roof to withstand stress.
A G U
/
F E M A
227
S
E I S M I C
S
L E U T H S
