As part of our exploration of structural engineering, 5th graders began a study of superstructures and i-beams by collaboratively making a model building from paper i-beams. This connects to the post and lintel method of architecture. The activity is another way to help us understand that strength comes from shape, not just material properties.
This presentation kicks off our 5th grade unit on Structural Engineering and Architecture. I feel that structures are some of our most important technologies, and students will get to learn how and why they are designed and built that way they are by making models common structures like domes, bridges and superstructures. I remixed the presentation from one made by the talented folks over at Project H Design who had their version up on slideshare.com .
Dylan Ryder 