Critical Load ~ an exploration in Civil Engineering
Project Timeline:
Day 1: Learning Labs
Days 2 & 3: Research
Day 4: Structure planning
Days 5 & 6: Building
Day 1: Learning Labs
Days 2 & 3: Research
Day 4: Structure planning
Days 5 & 6: Building
Day 1 ~ Learning Labs:
Learning Labs worksheet (Soffa's classes)
Learning Labs worksheet (Jackson, Marion, and Haase classes)
Station 1 link:
Constructing a Tower
Station 2 link:
World's Tallest Towers
Station 3 link:
PBS Loads Lab
Explore the Forces, Loads, Materials, and Shapes pages to learn about different impacts on structures. Click on the ‘Try it’ and ‘Strengthen it’ buttons as you play and learn.
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Learning Labs worksheet (Soffa's classes)
Learning Labs worksheet (Jackson, Marion, and Haase classes)
Station 1 link:
Constructing a Tower
Station 2 link:
World's Tallest Towers
Station 3 link:
PBS Loads Lab
Explore the Forces, Loads, Materials, and Shapes pages to learn about different impacts on structures. Click on the ‘Try it’ and ‘Strengthen it’ buttons as you play and learn.
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Days 2 & 3 ~ Strong Structures Research
Research Notes Sheet (Soffa's classes)
Research Notes Sheet (Jackson, Marion, and Haase classes)
A. Research
Answer ONE of the following questions to gain understanding of how engineers build buildings. Read the article found in the website link after the question. Make sure each person in your group selects a different question so that all are represented in your group. Take great notes! You'll be sharing your findings and teaching the other members of your group.
1. What human factors do you think a civil/structural engineer needs to take into consideration when planning an office building? (Examples are the weight of people and furnishings, need for water, fresh air, escape routes, etc.) (http://asumag.com/facility-planning/focusing-human-factors)
2. When thinking about the force pushing down or across a building, how would you be able to assess any impact the weather may have on the structure you are building? (http://www.rci-online.org/interface/2005-02-crissinger.pdf)
3. What features make strong bridges? Strong structures can be created using weak materials. What is important to remember when constructing structures using weaker materials? (Abracadabra of Engineering article)
(Use Dictionary.com to define any terms that you are unfamiliar with.)
B. Reflect
Share your research findings with your group. Have the person who selected question 1. go first, then question 2., and finally question 3. Record information on your note-taking sheet so that you have research notes on ALL three questions.
C. Connecting Research to Structural Design
You are a structural engineer working on a humanitarian project in a small village in Central America. Include your responses to the following statements in a paragraph containing a minimum of FOUR sentences. If you need more room, please continue your response on the back of this sheet.
1. Pick a project that you would like to work on. (i.e. building a school, water shed, barns for livestock, church, homes, etc.)
2. Explain the research you would need to conduct, both descriptive and explanatory. What are some questions you would need answered to know where to begin your project?
3. Explain the structure you will be building, and why you chose certain characteristics for the structure.
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Research Notes Sheet (Soffa's classes)
Research Notes Sheet (Jackson, Marion, and Haase classes)
A. Research
Answer ONE of the following questions to gain understanding of how engineers build buildings. Read the article found in the website link after the question. Make sure each person in your group selects a different question so that all are represented in your group. Take great notes! You'll be sharing your findings and teaching the other members of your group.
1. What human factors do you think a civil/structural engineer needs to take into consideration when planning an office building? (Examples are the weight of people and furnishings, need for water, fresh air, escape routes, etc.) (http://asumag.com/facility-planning/focusing-human-factors)
2. When thinking about the force pushing down or across a building, how would you be able to assess any impact the weather may have on the structure you are building? (http://www.rci-online.org/interface/2005-02-crissinger.pdf)
3. What features make strong bridges? Strong structures can be created using weak materials. What is important to remember when constructing structures using weaker materials? (Abracadabra of Engineering article)
(Use Dictionary.com to define any terms that you are unfamiliar with.)
B. Reflect
Share your research findings with your group. Have the person who selected question 1. go first, then question 2., and finally question 3. Record information on your note-taking sheet so that you have research notes on ALL three questions.
C. Connecting Research to Structural Design
You are a structural engineer working on a humanitarian project in a small village in Central America. Include your responses to the following statements in a paragraph containing a minimum of FOUR sentences. If you need more room, please continue your response on the back of this sheet.
1. Pick a project that you would like to work on. (i.e. building a school, water shed, barns for livestock, church, homes, etc.)
2. Explain the research you would need to conduct, both descriptive and explanatory. What are some questions you would need answered to know where to begin your project?
3. Explain the structure you will be building, and why you chose certain characteristics for the structure.
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Day 4 ~ Structure Planning:
Conference with your team about your research from yesterday.
Critical Load Building Instructions
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Conference with your team about your research from yesterday.
Critical Load Building Instructions
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