1. Tell the girls they are going to recreate some basic structural elements.
The first element is an Arch.
Have the girls try to form an arch using their bodies.
Ask the girls to describe the characteristics of an arch. Record these characteristics
in their journals.
2. Have the girls recreate the second element: a Vault.
The girls should form groups of five or six and try to recreate a vault.
The girls should add the characteristics of a vault into their journals.
3. Tell the girls that they are now going to recreate the third element:
a Frame.
Have the girls get into pairs and recreate a frame.
Ask the girls to describe the characteristics of a frame. Record it in their
journals.
4. The girls should now try to recreate the fourth element: a Cantilever.
Each girl should try to recreate a cantilever.
Ask the girls to record the characteristics of a cantilever in their journals.
5. Next have the girls recreate the fifth element: a Truss.
Have the girls form into groups of four and try to recreate a truss.
Ask the girls to describe the characteristics of a truss and record it in
their journals.
6. Have the girls recreate the sixth element: a Spaceframe.
Now the girls should form groups of eight and try to recreate a spaceframe. This is a difficult element to try and they will most likely fall down.
The girls should add the characteristics of a spaceframe to their journals.
1. Recreate the various structural elements out of different materials: woodcraft sticks, balsa wood, paper, or clay. How do the various materials used affect the strength and structure of each structural element?
2. Have the girls record where around town they find these various structural elements.
Keep a photo record of the structural elements.
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