How the World Works-Buildings and Structures

China: apartment poorly built falls over.  What happened?

videos on how structures are built

Structures - teaching how to make structures 

Physics Games

online simulations

Video showing the progression of a similar PYP unit

2.31 minute video showing the building of a modern structure in China

"Can we learn about shapes by looking at a building? Use the photograph attached either printed out, or ideally on your whiteboard, as the focus for a lesson on shapes." Students could photograph their own structures later

Math activities related to shape

"Strongest Shape"

"Strongest Shape"

"Students explore the various shapes engineers choose to make structures strong -- in particular, triangles, arches, and domes."

The shape of a structure affects how strong it is

"Using Roger's Connection, you can build many, many different shapes. If you remember to try to use triangles in your designs, then your designs will be strong. Without triangles, a design will be much weaker, or sometimes even impossible. One day you may be a designer or engineer and create things for other people to use that make use of some of the shapes we have been discussing. The lessons you learn today about these shapes and the use of triangles, may help you to create stronger and more successful designs in the future. Many other people have had to learn these lessons only from books. If you have followed these examples then you have a big advantage in having learned these lessons first-hand. This will help you remember these lessons much more easily!"

Head Squeezer Garry Lavin demonstrates how you can make strong structures out of seemingly weak materials like paper.

1 minute video collapses.  May spark inquiry:  Why? What went wrong?