Lesson Summary This learning experience takes three class periods.  Each pair of students is challenged to make the tallest structure they can with their limited materials, 100 straws and 200 paper clips.  The students will compare their straw structures with real structures.  They will discuss how they are similar and how they differ from each other.  The students will discuss the problems they had while building their buildings and how they solved them.  They will look at the tallest structures and discuss how they are similar.   The students will revisit the “Why Do Structures Stand Up?”  poster and the “Principles of Good Construction” poster. Teacher Background The students will learn that factors like the size of the base, weight of the structure, center of gravity, and strength of the building materials affect the height and stability of the structure.  Set-up/Management Tips Prepare the following materials: 100 straws, 200 paper clips, for each pair ahead of time.  This is something to consider doing, because of the large amount of materials involved.  This will enable the students to use the entire class period to build, instead of counting materials. The students will be working in pairs within their groups.  Each pair is challenged to make the tallest structure using the limited amount of materials provided. Discuss how students should make scientific drawings of their structure in their science notebooks.  Discuss how to use rulers to make straight lines and the importance of labeling their drawings.  Photocopy pages science notebook page Making a Structure pages 59 and 61 in the teacher’s manual for the students to use in their notebooks. Review how to use a measuring tape to measure the height of their buildings in centimeters. It might be a good idea to discuss and reach a class consensus on the following issues prior to having the students build: Will the students build on the floor, or on the tops of tables/desks? If a paper clip breaks or a straw is cut, will groups be allowed to exchange them for replacements? Will antennas be counted as part of the structure’s height? Prior to building have the students discuss and demonstrate different ways to attach the paper clips and straws together. Arrange a storage location for the structures in advance.  These structures will need to be stored until Learning Experience 10 in this unit. Some students might have trouble getting their building to stand and may need additional building time.  Other groups will finish quickly.  It can be helpful to have other projects available for students who finish early.  This can be a good time to have the students research a famous structure of their choice.   Websites for many famous structures are listed in the teacher’s manual on page 269. Optional book mentioned and not included in the kit Round Buildings, Square Buildings, and Buildings That Wiggle Like a Fish by Philip Issacson mentioned on teacher’s manual page 57.  Use the “Principles of Good Construction” poster and refer to the discussion procedure outlined on page 57 of the teacher’s manual. Science notebook questions and writing suggestions for this learning experience are listed below: In their notebooks, have the students date and title their entries, “Our First Structure,” and respond to any of the following questions:  Did you have any problems?  What were they?  How did you solve them?  What did you find out about using straws and paper clips as building materials?  Were you surprised by anything that happened as you built your structure? Refer to teacher’s manual page 58 for other creative writing ideas for this learning experience. Literacy Support Scientific Vocabulary No new vocabulary words introduced in this learning experience.