Strong and Stable Natural Structures

Strong and Stable Natural Structures

Possible Framing Questions:

What is the form and function of animal structures?
Are the structures strong and stable?
How can nature teach us to design and build strong and stable structures?

 

Learning Goal

If students investigate the factors that affect the strength and stability of plant and animal structures, then they will be able to apply those concepts to design and build their own strong and stable structures.

 

Curriculum Connections

http://www.edu.gov.on.ca/eng/curriculum/elementary/scientec18currb.pdf

  • 1. Assess the importance of form, function, strength, and stability in structures through time
  • 2. Investigate strong and stable structures to determine how their design and materials enable them to perform their load-bearing function
  • 3. Demonstrate an understanding of the concepts of structure, strength, and stability and the factors that affect them.

https://www.dcp.edu.gov.on.ca/en/curriculum/elementary-mathematics/grades/g3-math/strands

Geometric and Spatial reasoning

Measurement

  • compare, estimate, and determine measurements in various contexts

 

Possible Sequence of the Day

The framing question focuses the learning of the day. The day starts with an engagement activity to assess understanding, engage the students, and introduce the framing question. The morning is spent doing investigations, exploring and conducting hands-on inquiry in regards to the form and function of natural structures and the forces acting on them. The afternoon application activity is focused on consolidating and then conducting a hands-on student learning experience (e.g. making an animal structure to withstand a force or conducting an Earth Stewardship Project (ESP) to help with natural structures).

 

Pre and Post Activities

 

Squirrel Drey Test
Testing the Strength and Stability of a Squirrel Drey