So, in Science we have been working on our Building Unit. Students are working on the Big Question:

How do we build structures that are sturdy and safe?

To start off with, students created a building company which we named, Hancock Building Inc. As an end project, students chose to build a two car garage, a water tower or a bridge. As we work through a series of experiments designed to help us work basic building skills and concepts, students are relating their results back to, and using the concepts learned to think about, how to make their big project sturdy and safe.

So far we have learned that arch shapes, with the proper support, are stronger than rectangular shapes. We also learned that box girder beams are a very strong type of beam though we have to make sure that our tests are fair so that our results are accurate.

For tomorrow, I have a challenge for students to think about. Below are pictures of three different pillars. Pillars are like beams in that they are pieces of concrete, wood or metal used to support mass. However, unlike a beam, a pillar is vertical or up and down.

Take a look at the three pillars below:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Which pillar will hold the most dictionaries before collapsing? Why?

You can send me a comment on the blog by clicking on the comment button below! Let’s hear what you think!