Transcript Gummy Tower (Sample Hands-on STEM Activity)

Activity based on “Leaning Tower of Pasta”
Source: Digital Library, TeachEngineering, http://www.teachengineering.org
How do
really tall
buildings
stay up?
How can
buildings
support
people?
How do sky
scrapers
resist wind?
Engineers work with architects and scientists to understand what makes
materials break. They use what they learn to design strong structures.
Engineers may be able to find very strong materials but they cannot use
them in a structure because the materials are too expensive.
Structural engineers are a key part of the design
and construction team, working alongside architects
and other professionals. Together they create all kinds of
structures from houses, stadiums, hospitals, bridges, oil rigs,
space satellites, and so on!
Structural engineers are specialists in design, construction, repair,
conversion and conservation. They are concerned with all aspects
of a structure and its stability.
Source: The Institution of Structural Engineers (IStructE)." How to Become a Structural Engineer. N.p., n.d. Web. 06 Aug. 2014.
Just like an engineer, today you will be constrained!
Using limited materials, your job is to design and build a
structure that is as tall and strong as possible, using only
gummy bears and toothpicks.
Think about what forces will be acting upon your structure
Compression is when parts are pushed together
Tension is when parts are pulled apart
Load is the weight or mass a structure supports
Is it better to have the toothpick or a gummy bear under
tension? Under compression?
Is it better to have the toothpick or a gummy bear under
compression?
How will you design the tallest, strongest structure using limited
resources?
Break into Groups
of 4
Evaluate Materials
Take 10 minutes
and build the tallest
and strongest
structure possible
Brainstorm designs
for your structure
How tall was your structure?
How much weight did you put on your structure before it
fell?
Why do you think some buildings held more weight than
others before falling?
What materials would you choose next time if you were to
build a structure? Why?