Structures

\ chose structures for my topic in KIC. I selected this subject because I like to build with different materials. I've been building structures ever since I was little. I have used wooden blocks, Legos, Kinex and other materials around the house to build with. I have a lot of experience in building structures and I have fun in the process of making them.

Once I tell you my question, you will think it sounds simple. Fact is, it's very difficult. My question is, "How much can a structure hold by using different materials like, peas, clay, and marshmallows?" I think my question is interesting because I can experiment with different materials.

I learnd a lot from this reaserch. I learned that the Empire State Building was the tallest building until 1977. The building is located in Manhattan, New York. The building was completed in 1931. The popularity kept the building from bankruptcy. The frame part of the building took 23 weeks to complete. The building has been struck by lightening about 500 times year. The elevators travel up to 1, 200 ft per minute.

Here are some interesting facts from NewYork. com. Height from 102nd floor: 1, 250 ft (381m) Visibility from the Observatory: up to 80 miles Building weight: 365, 000 tons Bricks used: 10 million

Number of windows: 6, 500

There were many different steps in finding the answer to my question. First, I planed what the structures are going to look like. Next, I built the structure. Finally, I tested the structure to see how much it can with stand. The marshmallow structure can hold 14 ounces and the clay struture can hold about 8-9 onces. I think the marshmallows held more because of it's flexibility. The clay held less because it didn't flex. The heigth of the clay structure was 3 and one half inches high. The marshmallow structure was about 3 inches tall.

I only made one discovery. My discovery was if the height is gerater than the width, that means there is a greater chance of the building to fall or collapse, but that doesn't mean every building will.

If any of you liked my article and you think this was interesting, then you should try to build a structure for yourself. Here are some things you could try to build a structure with. Try anything around the house, like cups (plastic!) or cans, and try to see how much weight it can hold. Good luck and have fun!

Bibliography Chad C.

Author: Terry Jennings Title: Structures Place of Publication: Chicago Publisher: Children's Press Copyright date: 1988

Author: Lynn Curlee

Title: Brooklyn Bridge

Place of Publication: New York

Publisher: Athenaeum Books for Young Readers

Author: Graham Rickard Title: Building Homes Place of Publication: Minneapolis Publisher: Lerner Publication Copyright date: 1989