Weston Middle School
Technology/Engineering Course Materials
| Day | Main Ideas |
Activities | Examples and Extensions |
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| Introduction to technology and engineering |
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| 1 | Engineering problems have a diversity of solutions Engineers learn to analyze failure Columns are structural elements A structure can support a load |
Using 5 sheets of paper and 12" of tape, create a structure than can support a minumum of 2 bricks 8- 1/2" above the ground. Discussion of failure modes:
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Calculate snow load on the roof Design A Snowshoe Rods vs Tubes( Lorna Gibson, MIT) |
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| 2-3 | Columns are strong if kept vertical( axial compression) but weak in bending. The strength of columns to resist buckling depends on their length, material, and cross section. New materials and technologies dictate what can be built. |
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Floppy Towers Video: Making Stuff - Stronger Paper Cables |
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| 5 | Forces
that act on structures include tension, compression, torsion, and shear |
Forces that act on Structures Forces mini-activities from Building Big Tufts Engineering Bridge Library |
Bill Nye-Structures Video |
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| Catenary arches are self-supporting By combining materials with different mechanical properties, structural elements can be made stronger |
Measuring the compressive Strength of an Egg Properties of Bones |
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| 6-8 | Beams are horizontal elements that carry a load. They must be able to resist bending by being strong in tension along the bottom and in compression along the top |
Beams Activity: Activity: Cardboard Beam Bridges How does the web height and flange width of an I-beam affect the strength of a beam? |
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| Structural Systems
combine vertical, horizontal, and diagonal elements to create
2-dimensional structural systems such as trusses, and 3-dimensional
systems such as frames. |
Frames Slideshow: Post-and-Lintel Architecture Slideshow: Types of Structures Slideshow: Space Frames Build a simple truss using straws and pins. Build a simple frame Build plate + girder structures |
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| Sheathing Sheathing refers to the outer layer of a building structure, providing insulation, wind and rain protection, and visual appearance. |
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| Bridge
Types Structures handout pdf Types of Bridges |
Review types of bridge structures |
MIT+K12: Beam and Arch Bridges |
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| 9-10 | Summary of Building Big/Bridges Why did Greek Temples have all those columns? What new material did Abraham Darby introduce? What forces are at work when a train went over Eiffel's truss bridge? How does a cantilever work? What was the problem with cantilever bridges? |
Demos During Video:
Building Big Website Activities-
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Building Big Worksheet Video excerpts: Firth of Forth Cantilever Bridge Clifton Gorge Suspension Bridge Strauss Bridge at North Station(video) OTHER STRUCTURES-cobswebs, etc. Wikipedia- Cable Stayed Bridges |
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| 15-17 | Engineering structures are typically designed, tested, and optimized using engineering simulation programs. |
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| 11-14 | Just as a great general concentrates his forces where they are needed, an efficient design engineer puts the most material where it is most needed . I-Beams are strengthened most by increasing their web(height) dimension, because of the direction of the applied load. Arches and trusses aim to maximize tension and compression stress, and minimize bending stress. |
Do truss bridges in West Point Bridge Designer -see below Straw Bridges Part II:
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Truss example: |
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| Stayed-cable bridges, sometimes confused with suspension bridges, use a series of cables(stays) radiating from a central pylon to support the bridge deck | Demo: Stayed-cable Model of Zakim Bridge Bridges as Sculpture: The Work of Christian Menn
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| Video: Bill Nye: Architecture Tour of School building systems Plan, elevation, and section drawing of fruit |
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| Architects design using 3-D programs | 3-D Modeling using Google SketchUp See Teacherweb: |
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| 24 | Issues in Site Selection Foundations/Sills Video Overview of Timberframing |
Site Selection/ Footings and Foundations/Sill Plan Footings demo with sponge-rubber Optional: Site Model |
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| 25 | Parts of a House Purpose of foundation Layout of Sills |
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This Old House | ||
| 26 | Timberframe terminology Marking and cutting wood |
Bent Designs | |||
| 27 | Designing bents Miter Saw techniques |
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| 28 | Girts, ridgebeam | ||||
| 29 | Rough-in Framing for doors and windows | ||||
| 30 | Roof framing Building Stairs |
Timberframe Trusses | |||
| 31 | Sheathing Notes- insulation, moisture barrier, appearance; stressed-skin panels | ||||
| 32 | Community Planning considerations | Communities | |||
Geodesic Domes |
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| 33 | MCAS Review | ||||
| 34 | Course Summary |
Paper Towers