Year 4 and 5 took part in 'The Spaghetti Challenge' - a timed engineering challenge where teams had to build the tallest free standing structure possible out of sticks of spaghetti and mini-marshmallows.
Before the challenge started, we discussed the process that engineers have to go through when building a structure and the vital things that they have to consider - from the location of the building and the types of weather that it might incur, to the weight of the furniture, people and building materials that may effect the strength and stability of the building.
Click here find out more about that forces that act on buildings.
First, the teams designed their structure before carrying out the timed challenge. In session 2, the challenge was repeated, giving each team the opportunity to evaluate and improve their design.
Before the challenge started, we discussed the process that engineers have to go through when building a structure and the vital things that they have to consider - from the location of the building and the types of weather that it might incur, to the weight of the furniture, people and building materials that may effect the strength and stability of the building.
Click here find out more about that forces that act on buildings.
First, the teams designed their structure before carrying out the timed challenge. In session 2, the challenge was repeated, giving each team the opportunity to evaluate and improve their design.
Have a look at this website for some interesting building facts http://www.sciencekids.co.nz/sciencefacts/engineering/buildings.html
This website gives some ideas about building strong shapes http://www.rogersconnection.com/triangles/
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