Overview
In this cluster, students explore a variety of natural and human-built structures, and the forces that act on them. Students investigate internal and external forces acting on structures and recognize that these forces may affect structural strength and stability. Students identify common shapes used to increase strength and stability in structures, and methods used to enhance the strength of the materials used. The efficiency of a structure is assessed by comparing its mass with the mass of the load it supports. Students apply their understanding of forces and structures by evaluating the appropriateness of a specific structure’s design, and by constructing a structure of their own that supports a given load and remains standing when a particular force is applied. |
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