By using the principles of a popular game, students will
create models of stable structures. When presented with unexpected changes
in mass, students will observe failure points in the structure and attempt to
rebuild their structure in order to last longer.
Materials:
- One set of blocks for each group of students consists of 30 pieces of wood. Each piece is 3” long by 1” wide by ¾” thick. Paint the small ends of each block the same colour. In a set of 30, you should have 1 gold block, 4 red blocks, 10 yellow blocks, and 15 blue blocks. Each set of blocks can accommodate from 1 to 6 students.
- One set of 30 coloured chips (alternatively, use painted skewers): 1 gold, 4 red, 10 yellow, and 15 blue
Procedure:
- Have students use their blocks to create a structure that is 10 storeys tall. Each storey is ¾” tall or the thickness of the block when lying flat. Student may select any design for their structure.
- Have students spend a moment after their construction is finished considering other designs in the room.
- After students have designed their structure, ask them to predict how many blocks could be removed for the structure to remain 10 storeys tall.
- Discuss with students where forces are applied on buildings. Discuss such forces as wind, gravity, and load.
- Discuss unexpected forces on buildings. The classic example is the World Trade Centre collapse. Tell students that their structures are being exposed to unknown forces. Randomly draw from the set of coloured chips one colour at a time. The students must remove a block of this colour. Have students count each block removed until the structure collapses.
- After all students structures collapse, compare predictions to the actual amount. Discuss with students why they felt some designs lasted longer than others.
- Play the game again. With the students now expecting the forces on the structure, they should modify their original design to last longer.
- Review with students after the second round if their structure lasted longer than the first. Ask students what modifications they made to their design to improve its stability.
- All class blocks can be put together to make one large structure that combines the good design ideas from all of the groups. Have students guess the number of blocks that can be safely removed and have a prize for the student who is the closest.