Project Design: Overview

Name of Project: Structure Testing Duration: 3 weeks

Subject/Course: Science Teacher: Ms. Bollum Grade Level: 7

How do structures stand up under load?

Key Knowledge
and What forces act on structures?
Understandings What materials and design characteristics contribute to structural
strength and stability?
Problem Solving, Personal Growth and Well-Being, Creativity and
21st Century
Innovation, Collaboration, Managing Information, Critical thinking,
Competencies
Communication, Cultural and Global Citizenship
Students will explore various structures through past and present, natural
and man-made, and use this knowledge to create a structure that will
Project stand up to the forces of nature. Students will implement technology in
Summary: that they will video their progress, design their structures using
computer technology, video conference with local experts, and post their
findings on our class website.
How Can You Design and Create a Structure That Stands Up Against the
Forces of Nature?
Driving
Sub Questions:
Question
-How have we designed homes in the past and present? Are they effective
designs? What are other factors engineers and designers must consider?
-How would you propose to market this to a public audience?
Products:
Informational Writing (Journal/Learning Log)
Reflective Video Blogs
Individual
Final Product/Summative Assessment
Teacher Conferences
Project Calendar
Project Assessment Map
Team Brainstorming, Fishbowl, Focus Groups, Think-Pair-Share activities
Whole Class Discussions
Surveys

Making Products Public: How can we let others know about

what we are learning?
-Class website
-Video Conferences
Resources Needed:
-Project booklet
Connection to the Program of Studies
Science:

Students will:
1. Describe and interpret different types of structures encountered in everyday objects, buildings, plants
and animals; and identify materials from which they are made
 recognize and classify structural forms and materials used in construction
interpret examples of variation in the design of structures that share a common function, and evaluate the
effectiveness of the designs
describe and compare example structures developed by different cultures and at different times; and interpret
differences in functions, materials and aesthetics
describe and interpret natural structures, including the structure of living things and structures created by
animals
identify points of failure and modes of failure in natural and built structures

2. Investigate and analyze forces within structures, and forces applied to them
recognize and use units of force and mass, and identify and measure forces and loads
identify examples of frictional forces and their use in structures
identify tension, compression, shearing and bending forces within a structure; and describe how these forces
can cause the structure to fail
analyze a design, and identify properties of materials that are important to individual parts of the structure
infer how the stability of a model structure will be affected by changes in the distribution of mass within the
structure and by changes in the design of its foundation

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
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
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

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
identify environmental factors that may affect the stability and safety of a structure, and describe how these
factors are taken into account
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

ELA
G.O. #1: Students will listen, speak, read, write, view and represent to explore thoughts, ideas, feelings
and experiences.
1.1 Discover and Explore: Express ideas and develop understanding
1.2 Clarify and Extend: Consider the ideas of others, Combine ideas, Extend understanding

G.O. #2: Students will listen, speak, read, write, view and represent to comprehend and respond
personally and critically to oral, print and other media texts.
2.1 Use Strategies and Cues: Use prior knowledge, Use references

2.2 Respond to Texts: Experience various texts, Construct meaning from texts

2.4 Create Original Text: Generate ideas, Elaborate on the expression of ideas, Structure texts

G.O. #3: Students will listen, speak, read, write, view and represent to manage ideas and information.
3.1 Plan and Focus: Focus attention, Determine information needs, Plan to gather information

3.2 Select and Process: Use a variety of sources, Access information, Evaluate sources

3.3 Organize, Record and Evaluate: Organize information, Record information, Evaluate information

3.4 Share and Review: Share ideas and information, Review research process
G.O. #4: Students will listen, speak, read, write, view and represent to enhance the clarity and artistry
of communication.
4.1 Enhance and Improve: Appraise own and others' work, Revise and edit

4.2 Attend to Conventions: Attend to grammar and usage, Attend to spelling, Attend to capitalization and
punctuation

4.3 Present and Share: Present information, Enhance presentation, Use effective oral and visual
communication, Demonstrate attentive listening and viewing

G.O. #5: Students will listen, speak, read, write, view and represent to respect, support and collaborate
with others.
5.1 Respect Others and Strengthen Community: Appreciate diversity, Relate texts to culture, Use language
to show respect, Celebrate accomplishments and events

5.2 Work within a Group: Cooperate with others, Work in groups, Evaluate group process

Social Studies
7.1: Toward Confederation
General Outcome: Students will demonstrate an understanding and appreciation of the distinct roles of, and
the relationships among, the Aboriginal, French and British peoples in forging the foundations of Canadian
Confederation
7.2: Following Confederation: Canadian Expansions
General Outcome: Students will demonstrate an understanding and appreciation of how the political,
demographic, economic and social changes that have occurred since Confederation have presented challenges
and opportunities for individuals and communities.

Math:
Number: G.O.: Develop number sense

Patterns & Relations: G.O.: Use patterns to describe the world and to solve problems.

Shape & Space:

Measurement: G.O: Use direct and indirect measurement to solve problems
3-D Objects & 2-D Shapes: G.O.: Describe the characteristics of 3-D objects and 2-D shapes, and analyze the
relationships among them.

Technology Outcomes:
Communicating, Inquiring, Decision Making and Problem Solving
Students will access, use and communicate information from a variety of technologies.
Students will use organizational processes and tools to manage inquiry.
Students will use technology to aid collaboration during inquiry.
Students will use technology to investigate and/or solve problems.
Students will use electronic research techniques to construct personal knowledge and
meaning.

Foundational Operations, Knowledge and Concepts

Students will demonstrate a moral and ethical approach to the use of technology.
Students will demonstrate a basic understanding of the operating skills required in a variety
of technologies.

Processes for Productivity

Students will compose, revise and edit text.
Students will organize and manipulate data.
Students will communicate through multimedia.
Students will integrate various applications
Students will use communication technology to interact with others.