Using The Force

Recently, we had a terrific field trip to TUSC greenhouse and I.T. lab to study forces acting on structures.

Students measured and recorded the size of different stems in the greenhouse.

They investigated the connections between the stem size and flexibility and the load each plant could carry.

They designed and tested how different leaf shapes withstood the wind.

They observed the internal structures of different stems and  made connections to  the  plants' ability to  be flexible and to carry different loads.

In the I.T. lab, they investigated how changing the shape of a material (paper) enables it to carry a heavier load (pennies).

They designed shapes that were the most stable.

They used all the information from the day to create and test stable bridge structures on the computer.

 Thank you to the wonderful Moms who came with us and helped us on our trip.