CONSTRUCTION TECHNOLOGY -  Structures, Constructing Balsa Wood Towers

This trimester I teach only one grade 7 C.T.D. class, but we still had a lot of fun learning about structures, loads, forces and constructing balsa wood towers.  The photographs below provides an overview of the design, construction and testing process  Once the students had an understanding of types of structures, trusses, loads and forces they were provided with a design brief for the lesson and off they went.  All six teams were able to support the maximum load of 270 lbs.  Very impressive for structures with an average weight of 33 grams.

The design phase.  Students create drawings of their tower design.

The construction phase.  Students construct the towers

The testing phase