Breaking Beams

02 Aug 2010 | Learning Objects

Students learn about stress and strain by designing and building beams using polymer clay. They compete to find the best beam strength to beam weight ratio, and learn about the trade-offs engineers …

http://nees.org/resources/445

Breaking the Mold

02 Aug 2010 | Learning Objects

In this math activity, students conduct a strength test using modeling clay, creating their own stress vs. strain graphs, which they compare to typical steel and concrete graphs. They learn the …

http://nees.org/resources/446

Construction Technologies: Construct the Strongest Bridge

02 Aug 2010 | Learning Objects

In this activity, students will work in pairs to create three simple types of bridges. They will observe quantitatively how the bridges work under load and why engineers use different types of …

http://nees.org/resources/452

Glue Stick Activity

05 Aug 2010 | Learning Objects

In this activity students will use hot glue gun sticks to show tension, compression and torsion. Click here to view the web site. This material was provided by Teachengineering.org.

http://nees.org/resources/570

Leaning Tower of Pasta

05 Aug 2010 | Learning Objects

Using spaghetti and marshmallows, students experiment with different structures to determine which ones are able to handle the greatest amount of load. Their experiments help them to further …

http://nees.org/resources/571

Load It Up!

05 Aug 2010 | Learning Objects

Students take a hands-on look at the design of bridge piers (columns). First they brainstorm types of loads that might affect a Colorado bridge. Then they determine the maximum possible load for that …

http://nees.org/resources/574

Stop the Stretching

05 Aug 2010 | Learning Objects

Students will learn about composite materials, tension as a force and how they act on structural components through the design and testing a strip of plastic chair webbing. Click here to view the …

http://nees.org/resources/583

Straw Bridges

05 Aug 2010 | Learning Objects

Working as engineering teams, students design and create model beam bridges using plastic drinking straws and tape as their construction materials. Their goal is to build the strongest bridge with a …

http://nees.org/resources/584

Testing Fundamental Loads

05 Aug 2010 | Learning Objects

Students will conduct several simple lab activities to learn about the five fundamental load types that can act on structures: tension, compression, shear, bending, and torsion. In this activity, …

http://nees.org/resources/588