They experiment with truss, beam, arch, and suspension bridge models. In designing their own models, students work in teams using bridge technology to solve transportation problems while balancing issues of aesthetics, geography, materials, and cost. During this two-hour program, students act as carpenters and use real tools to assemble a house, 8' x 11', from the ground up with windows, a door, and a front porch. During this program, students learn how triangles and tetrahedrons are linked together to enclose a space that distributes stress and weight in the most economical way possible. They work together to construct a 6' x 10' geodesic dome in the Museum's Great Hall and begin to understand how engineering principles are used to support structures.
Students apply what they have learned as they assemble their own, simple geodesic structure.
A country's buildings reflect the ideas and culture of its people. The appearance of buildings is also influenced by other factors including climate, location, and materials. American building styles have evolved as native and new Americans adopted and modified architectural features to suit their needs. During this program, students trace the early development of several house styles across America. They examine a Northeast saltbox, mid-Atlantic plantation, Southern stilt house, Midwest earthlodge, and Southwest adobe.