More than a box

This Connected article describes the processes and practices used when planning, designing and building a large indoor sports centre. It outlines the science and technology behind the building process, including the steps taken to ensure that the structure remains erect, stable and safe. It demonstrates how engineers and scientists use their knowledge of building techniques, properties of materials and the impact of natural forces (including gravity and earthquakes) when designing buildings.

This also highlights the value of mathematical skills in a real-life context.

Check your school library for this article from the 2011 Level 2 Connected journal, ‘Structure’, or order it from the Ministry of Education.

Teacher support material

The teacher support material (TSM), in PDF format, can be downloaded from Tāhūrangi. It includes hands-on learning activities designed to support students to develop scientific explanations of the physical and material world aspects of the New Zealand Curriculum:

• Testing shapes, beams, and the role of bracing

• Building a structure

• Covering the gap

• Exploring foundations

• Exploring fasteners

• Testing our thinking

• Using diagonals.