Squares and Rectangles                               

Student Activity Instruction Sheet 1.4

 

Beams are used for all sorts of construction projects.  The narrowness and holes in the sides of the beams allow them to be used vertically, horizontally, and diagonally.  They can be connected together with connector pegs, connected at angles and used as strengthening braces. 

 

Procedure 1:

1.      Use BEAMS and connector Pegs

2.      Build as many different rectangles and squares as you can

3.      Compare your structures with others in the class

 

Questions:

  1. Does your shape fall apart?

  2. Does it move or does it keep its shape?

  3. How could you make a shape "firm" so that it will not move or change?

 

 

Procedure 2: 

1.      Build this structure

 

 

 

2.      Try to take it apart?

3.      Was it easy to take apart?

4.      What could you do to make it stronger?

5.      Now Find There parts

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

6.      Build this structure

 

7.      Was this structure easier or harder to break apart?  Why?