Sometimes, engineers may be able to find very strong materials, but they cannot use them in a structure because the material are too expensive. Today, you will have the opportunity to figure out how to make a strong structure, too. Have you ever wondered how really tall buildings stay up? Why do sky scrapers not fall down when wind hits them? Engineers work with architects and scientists to understand what makes materials break, and then use what they learn to design strong structures. Specification of constraints includes consideration of scientific principles and other relevant knowledge that is likely to limit possible solutions.Īll human activity draws on natural resources and has both short and long-term consequences, positive as well as negative, for the health of people and the natural environment.Īlignment agreement: Thanks for your feedback! The uses of technologies and any limitations on their use are driven by individual or societal needs, desires, and values by the findings of scientific research and by differences in such factors as climate, natural resources, and economic conditions. The more precisely a design task's criteria and constraints can be defined, the more likely it is that the designed solution will be successful. This activity focuses on the following Three Dimensional Learning aspects of NGSS:ĭefine a design problem that can be solved through the development of an object, tool, process or system and includes multiple criteria and constraints, including scientific knowledge that may limit possible solutions.Īlignment agreement: Thanks for your feedback! Explain why engineers consider tension and compression forces when designing and choosing the appropriate materials for a building or structureĭefine the criteria and constraints of a design problem with sufficient precision to ensure a successful solution, taking into account relevant scientific principles and potential impacts on people and the natural environment that may limit possible solutions.Ĭlick to view other curriculum aligned to this Performance Expectation.Use number sense to correlate the strength of a structure to the amount of weight it holds.Compare their model to others to understand why some models are stronger than others.Describe how compression and tension affect the stability of a structure.Like all structures, the foundation, frame and joints of a skyscraper must be able to withstand enormous tension and compression forces - from the weight of its own materials, the load of people and equipment it holds and the impact of natural forces such as wind, snow and earthquakes.Īfter this activity, students should be able to: All structures must be able to handle the forces that act upon them so they will not fail and injure people, wildlife or the environment. Engineers consider tension and compression forces when designing a building or structure, and choosing the materials to build it.

Builder leaning tower of pisa