CECmath.37


TITLE:    FREE STANDING STRUCTURE

AUTHOR:   Leslie Gonzales, WCI, White City, Oregon

GRADE LEVEL/SUBJECT:     4-8  Math/Science

OVERVIEW:  This activity is designed to show students that
cost, time, planning, modeling, designs, teamwork, and
application are important in learning about "real world"
construction projects.

     Prior Conditions:  It's helpful if students have had
     some experience with cooperative learning.

     New Vocabulary:  Define free standing structure

OBJECTIVE(s):  Students will be able to:
1.   Demonstrate basic construction skills by building a
     free standing structure, using predetermined materials.
2.   Compute cost of structure by using multiplication
     skills or calculator.
3.   Identify problems, successes, revisions, and purpose of
     lesson by group discussion and answering questions on
     worksheet.

RESOURCES/MATERIALS:  *Per Group*
Approximately 20 plastic drinking straws
Approximately 20 straight pins (caution students about
     safety)
10 small paper clips
1 roll of masking tape
1 yard/meter stick
1 Free Standing Structure worksheet
1 pencil or pen
1 calculator (optional)

ACTIVITIES:
1.   Divide students into groups of 5-6 depending on class
     size.
2.   Each group will need a cleared floor area, and assigned
     materials.
3.   Each group should assign (or be assigned) a
     spokesperson, math person, recorder, timekeeper. (jobs
     may be combined)
4.   Teacher explains objective and models materials without
     actually building a structure.
5.   Allow 3-4 minutes for groups to brainstorm on how to
     begin.
6.   During building time, math person keeps a tally of
     material costs.
7.   After building time (approx. 30-45 minutes) math person
     records final structure height and cost.
8.   Allow students 5 minutes to discuss questions.
     Recorder transcribes student responses to worksheet.
9.   Spokesperson for each group discusses structure and
     worksheet questions to whole group.

TYING IT ALL TOGETHER:  Refer to overview items for
discussion.  Students are provided with the opportunity to
use/improve critical thinking, math, and cooperative
learning skills.  Key questions in the activity are #2 and
#4 on worksheet.

             FREE STANDING STRUCTURE WORKSHEET

I.   Students work in groups to build a free standing
     structure.  The trick is to build the tallest structure
     while spending the least amount of money on materials.
     Students may use only specified materials.

II.  Cost of materials are:
     Straws-        $1.00 each
     Paper clips-   $ .20 each
     Straight pins- $ .10 each
     Masking tape-  $ .20 an inch

III. Structure Calculations
     ______    pins x $ .10             =    __________

     ______    paper clips x $ .20      =    __________

     ______    in./cm. tape x $ .20     =    __________

     ______    straws x $1.00           =    __________

     Height of structure_______________in./cm.

     Total cost of structure__________________

IV.  After structure is built, students will discuss and
     answer questions within their group.  Spokesperson from
     each small group will share structures and worksheet
     questions with whole group.

V.   Questions

     1.   What was the most difficult part of building
          the free standing structure?

     2.   What problems, if any, did you have to solve?

     3.   What changes, if any, did you make after
          beginning construction?

     4.   If you could do it again, what changes, if any,
          would you make?