Stable Shapes
Student Activity Instruction
Sheet 1.5
Challenge: What polygons can be used to make a stable shape?
Can you define a Polygon? Use the space below to write the definition of a polygon: ________________________________________________________
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1. Using the Exploring Polygon Worksheet provided by the teacher, Build a Triangle
2. Draw a picture of the design on the worksheet
3. Build the structure using ONLY 3 beans and connector pegs
4. Determine if the structure was stable or unstable.
5. Now, build 3 additional polygons, other than a triangle.
6. Are these shapes stable or unstable?
7. What can be added to the shapes to make them more stable?
8. How can you modify the construction of each polygon to ensure stability?
9. Compare your structures to other Team structures. What design elements did they use? Can you combine their ideas with your groups ideas to create a stable structure
Challenge Contest:
1. Select the structure that your teams think will be the most stable structure
2. Present your structure to the other teams.
3. Teams vote on most stable structure - providing reasons for their votes.