Planning: 3 Meetings



		Activity Planning Grid \| 1 or 2 Hours \| 3 Meetings \| 6 Meetings Meeting 1 1. Get kids exploring materials and thinking about creative solutions with Newspaper Tower. 2. Introduce force and load with the Hands-On Glossary mini-activities. 3. Brainstorm possible structures for a Local Wonders project. Choose a site. Make a plan for collecting information. Meeting 2 1. Depending on what type of structure your Local Wonder is, choose a few mini-activities from the Hands-On Glossary to introduce relevant concepts. For bridges: compression, tension, bending, cantilever, truss For domes, skyscrapers, or other buildings: compression, tension, shear, arch, or dome For dams or tunnels: compression, arch 2. Visit the Local Wonder. Collect information about the structure (for some ideas see Local Wonders section of this guide). Take photographs and/or draw the structure. Meeting 3 1. Depending on the Local Wonder, do an activity to introduce relevant concepts. For bridges: Straw Shapes, Paper Bridge, or Hang in There For buildings: Columns or Straw Shapes For dams: Under Pressure For tunnels: Meeting in the Middle 2. Analyze the information collected about the Local Wonder and complete your writeup. See Writeup Directions for key information to include. 3. Visit the Wonders of the World Databank to compare your Local Wonder with other structures. The Educator Idea pages suggest video segments that support each hands-on activity.