Did you know that buildings move? What happens to buildings if there is an earthquake or strong wind?
This activity puts a new spin on the old STEM Club favourite of reinforced jellies. Students make their own reinforced jellies and test to see whether they can withstand vibrations, to mimic an earthquake situation. Your club or class will have to conclude which material they feel is the best to choose for reinforcing jelly.
This session should fill two club time slots as a short project (or it can be used as part of a longer project if the extras are followed).
Students will be investigating how structures can be reinforced to withstand an earthquake. The resource looks at making the strongest jelly that will move but not break under vibration. Follow the detailed step-by-step instructions within the resource to make different batches of jellies to different consistencies before making the jitterbug to carry out extensive testing. An extension activity involves putting materials such as drinking straws or wooden splints into the jelly to strengthen the structure. The resource contains lots of questions to ask of students when they are doing this activity such as which is the best jelly? what effects do they observe? which encourages them to investigate what is happening to the structures as well as other sections containing stretch and challenge activities, explanations and handy hints for those delivering the activity.
... ensuring that buildings, roads and structures are built to be strong enough. Being able to understand forces and materials is essential for civil engineers.
Civil engineering courses can be taken at many universities, with entry requirements covering A levels, Advanced Diplomas and Scottish Advanced Highers www.ucas.com
Related fields: Construction and architectural engineering.
Why not try an apprenticeship in Engineering Construction www.apprenticeships.org.uk? The Engineering Construction industry plays an important role in the UK economy through the design, construction and maintenance of industrial processing and energy production facilities that are essential to the country’s prosperity and way of life.
In Scotland visit www.apprenticeshipsinscotland.com and in Wales visit information about Apprenticeships on the Careers Wales website.
Resources
Creating captivating cornflour invites pupils to discover the properties of this curious material in a fun, but often messy activity.
Engineering enables: running blades explores the forces in moving systems and materials, in the context of designing a prosthetic limb
The right switch: discover Quantum Tunnelling Composite and technical textiles. As we invest in more mobile technology, we run the risk of bulging pockets and heavy handbags. This activity looks at finding a solution to this problem.
How is food packaged? Introducing thermochromatic paints and their application.
Smart muscle
Introducing ideas about keeping materials and tools cool in space.
As we try to use more renewable sources of energy and reduce our use of fossil fuels, it is important to ensure that electricity gets to us in an easy but efficient way
Cycling grows in importance as we look towards sustainable transport to save energy.
Milking it: Many products bought today are made from or contain plastic. How is it made, and what applications does it have?
Explore the role of STEM in how we hear sounds, record and play back music
Learn how sensor systems (motes) can be used to monitor the environment outside an aircraft.
This resource is designed to help students learn about the STEM involved in designing and making their own hovercraft.
Making waves explores how engineers have applied their knowledge of waves to make life better.
This equation impacts our lives in many areas, from computing to the shape of a football.
A STEM learning and teaching resource that shows how engineers have applied their knowledge to improve the security of the internet.
Explore a variety of magical maths activities, from multiplication tips to card tricks.
Are we connected? is a STEM teaching and learning resource that explores engineering through the technology we communicate and connect with.
Light Saver is a STEM resource that explores new technology developed by scientists and engineers that uses the properties of light to help save lives.
Power Up! looks at different types of energy, energy in engineering, the importance of electricity and how it is generated. It investigates different types of renewable energy sources through a number of hands-on practical activities.
Design our trophy