Build It! The Science of Structures

Six Months in Space (page 3)

Classroom Links: space science, technology

There is excellent information and interactive features (videos, for example) at NASA’s site for the International Space Station (ISS).

This site will help you locate the ISS on any given day.

Students may also enjoy the book on the International Space Station written by the Editors of YES Mag.


Solar Cooker (page 4)

Classroom Links: physics, technology

Activity: Build Your Own Solar Cooker

What to do:

1. Have students read the article on the Kyoto Box on page 4. Have them pay special attention to the design of the box. Investigate some of the styles of solar cookers available. 
2. Have students draw up their own plans for creating a solar cooker. Their goal should be to cook something small, such as melt the chocolate in a s’more or warm up some soup. Encourage them to consider simple supplies (for example, small boxes, metal bowls, aluminum foil).
3. On a warm day, test the solar cookers. Which design is most effective?

Blood Falls (page 5)

Classroom links: chemistry

Activity: Grow Some Rust

What you need:
* Variety of metal objects (e.g., paper clips, nails, steel wool, tacks, metal washers)
* Small jars (some with lids)
* Water

What to do:

1. Set this up as a class demonstration or give each student 4 pieces of one kind of metal object (e.g., 4 paperclips, or 4 small pieces of steel wool) and 4 jars. 
2. Place one metal object in each jar and treat them in the following manner:
   * Jar 1: Do not attach the lid.
   * Jar 2: Attach the lid.
   * Jar 3: Cover the object with water. Do not attach the lid.
   * Jar 4: Cover the object with water. Attach the lid. 
3. Observe the changes in the metal over the next few weeks.

What's happening:
When objects rust, a chemical change has occurred. Oxygen — usually from the moisture in the air — attaches to certain metals, like iron and steel, to form rust. This usually happens when objects are damp. 

Your Teeth (page 7)

Classroom links: human biology, anatomy, forensic science

Activity: Chomp Down

What you need:
* Foam paper plates
* Scissors

What to do:

1. Cut each plate into 4 wedges. 
2. Give each child a wedge and ask them to carefully (and gently) bite down on the wedge, as if they are biting off a piece of pizza from the pointy end. 
3. Have students write their name on their “dentition sample.”
4. Compare the different kinds of bites. Try to identify the teeth that made each mark (e.g., canines, molars).
5. How could dentition samples help solve a mystery such as who stole a bite of your sandwich?

Earthworms (page 8)

Classroom links: biology

Investigate Worm Watch as a potential project for your class or school. 

Theme Section:
Build It! The Science of Structures (pages 9 to 16)

Classroom links: physics, applied science

Field trip: After reading the theme section, take a field trip to observe local bridges and buildings in your community. Look for the features highlighted in KNOW, such as the use of triangles to add strength (particularly in bridges and the roofs of houses). If possible, have an engineer, architect, or building contractor accompany the class. 

Activity: Sandwich Building

What you need:
* Popsicle sticks
* Pipecleaners or wire
* Cotton batting (such as quilt batting)
* Cardboard

What to do:

1. Have students read “Sandwich Buildings” on page 10. 
2. Have students design and build a wall using the supplies provided or supplies of their own choosing. (In our supply list, Popsicle sticks = studs; pipe cleaners/wire = plumbing and electrical wires; batting = insulation; cardboard = siding)

Activity: Pyramid Power

What you need:
* Toothpicks
* Marshmallows or firm jelly candies, such as ju jubes.

What to do:

1. Create models of a cube and a pyramid (tetrahedron) as shown on page 11. 
2. Have students gently apply pressure to the shapes. Which is harder to push out of shape?

How it works:
A triangle holds its shape under pressure. Triangles are stable and strong. (Remind students how it is easier to keep your balance when your legs are spread apart.)

Activity: Tough Triangles

What you need: 
* Dry spaghetti
* Scissors
* Mini-marshmallows
* 1 playing card per student
* Pennies

What to do:

1. Have students break or cut the spaghetti into 12 short pieces about 5 cm long. 
2. Construct a cube using these pieces and mini-marshmallows.
3. Put the playing card on top of the cube and add pennies until it collapses.
4. Have students break or cut pieces of spaghetti into 4 longer pieces about 7 cm long. 
5. Add one of the longer pieces of spaghetti on the diagonal to each side of the cube. (It is not necessary to add a longer piece to the top or bottom of the cube.)
6. Repeat step 3. 

How it works:
By adding the longer pieces, you have made four of the squares into triangles. This makes the structure stronger. 

Activity: Build a Bridge

What you need:
* 2 drinking glasses
* 2 paper bills ($5 in Canada; $1 in US)
* Pennies

What to do:

1. Set up the 2 glasses as if they are the supports for a bridge. 
2. Put a bill [bridge deck] between the two glasses.
3. Add pennies until the “bridge” collapses.
4. Now fold the bill back and forth like a fan. Place the unfolded bill on top of it and place this bridge deck on the glasses. 
5. Add pennies until the “bridge” collapses.

How it works:
The folds act like trusses in a bridge deck. The triangular shape adds strength to a bridge.  

Check out the following on-line activities from YES Mag:

Goodie-goodie Gumdrop Dome

Geodesic Clubhouse

Leaning Tower of Pasta

Bridge Over Cardboard Water

To learn about structures that were feats (and failures) check out Fantastic Feats and Failures by the Editors of YES Mag.