"Disaster Proof" Design Challenge - Alberta 7 Science - Structures and Forces

Project activity, students will research, analyze, plan, and create "disaster-proof" buildings based on their learning of structures and forces!

3. Investigate and analyze the properties of materials used in structures

• devise and use methods of testing the strength and flexibility of materials used in a structure (e.g., measure deformation under load)
• identify points in a structure where flexible or fixed joints are required, and evaluate the appropriateness of different types of joints for the particular application (e.g., fixed jointing by welding, gluing or nailing; hinged jointing by use of pins or flexible materials)
• compare structural properties of different materials, including natural materials and synthetics
• investigate and describe the role of different materials found in plant and animal structures (e.g., recognize the role of bone, cartilage and ligaments in vertebrate animals, and the role of different layers of materials in plants)

4. Demonstrate and describe processes used in developing, evaluating and improving structures that will meet human needs with a margin of safety

• demonstrate and describe methods to increase the strength of materials through changes in design (e.g., corrugation of surfaces, lamination of adjacent members, changing the shape of components, changing the method of fastening)
• identify environmental factors that may affect the stability and safety of a structure, and describe how these factors are taken into account (e.g., recognize that snow load, wind load and soil characteristics need to be taken into account in building designs; describe example design adaptations used in earthquake-prone regions)
• analyze and evaluate a technological design or process on the basis of identified criteria, such as costs, benefits, safety and potential impact on the environment