September - November
STRUCTURES AND MECHANISMS - STABILITY
In this topic of the Science and Technology Curriculum for Grade 3, the students will investigate the difference between strength (to withstand forces) and stability (to maintain balance) as it pertains to structures. By building their own structures throughout the unit, students will experiment with concepts of balance and force of gravity and determine how design and materials enable structures to perform their load-bearing function. Both animals and people need their structures to be strong and stable in order to provide for enduring use (Science & Technology Activities Resource).
We encourage you to experiment with your child. Using simple resources (paper, straws, tape, etc.) you and your child may come up with something innovative. Enjoy this learning experience!
FUN WEBSITES TO VISIT:
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/bridge
NOVA Online | Super Bridge
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/buildingbig/index.html
BUILDING BIG: Home Page
http://www.sciencetech.technomuses.ca/english/schoolzone/Info_Structures.cfm
http://www.xs4all.nl/~hnetten/tallest.html
http://www.greatbuildings.com/
Greatstructures.Info - Great Structures of the World
http://www.sciencemuseum.org.uk/visitmuseum/galleries/challenge_of_materials.aspx
The World's Most Famous Man-made Structures list
Famous Buildings and Structures | Infoplease.com
Greatstructures.Info - Great Structures of the World
PicturePictures of Famous Buildings, Structures, Statues, Bridges & Landmarks, Free Photos & Imagess of Famous Buildings, Structures, Statues, Bridges & Landmarks, Free Photos & Images
In this topic of the Science and Technology Curriculum for Grade 3, the students will investigate the difference between strength (to withstand forces) and stability (to maintain balance) as it pertains to structures. By building their own structures throughout the unit, students will experiment with concepts of balance and force of gravity and determine how design and materials enable structures to perform their load-bearing function. Both animals and people need their structures to be strong and stable in order to provide for enduring use (Science & Technology Activities Resource).
We encourage you to experiment with your child. Using simple resources (paper, straws, tape, etc.) you and your child may come up with something innovative. Enjoy this learning experience!
FUN WEBSITES TO VISIT:
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/bridge
NOVA Online | Super Bridge
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/buildingbig/index.html
BUILDING BIG: Home Page
http://www.sciencetech.technomuses.ca/english/schoolzone/Info_Structures.cfm
http://www.xs4all.nl/~hnetten/tallest.html
http://www.greatbuildings.com/
Greatstructures.Info - Great Structures of the World
http://www.sciencemuseum.org.uk/visitmuseum/galleries/challenge_of_materials.aspx
The World's Most Famous Man-made Structures list
Famous Buildings and Structures | Infoplease.com
Greatstructures.Info - Great Structures of the World
PicturePictures of Famous Buildings, Structures, Statues, Bridges & Landmarks, Free Photos & Imagess of Famous Buildings, Structures, Statues, Bridges & Landmarks, Free Photos & Images
January / February
Forces
Students will explore the effects of forces (i.e. pushes, pulls and magnets). They will learn about the ways in which forces create movement in objects.
This unit introduces students to two types of forces and their effects. The first type of force involves pushes and pulls, or direct interaction. The second type involves interaction at a distance, such as magnetic or gravitational forces. Students will explore the effects of different forces including muscular force, magnetism, static electricity, and gravitational force. They will investigate ways in which forces create movement in objects and will expand their understanding by designing and making devices that use force to create controlled movement.
The concept of force can be a difficult topic for students this age to understand. When possible, provide hands-on examples of devices or pictures of devices that use various forms of energy to function and create movement (for example: windup toys, paper airplanes, remote-control toys, and small household appliances).
Check out these websites!!
http://www.encyclopedia.com/
http://library.think quest.org/11924/
http://thunder.msfc.nasa.gov/
http://www.mos.org/sln/toe/toe.html
http://www.encyclopedia.com/
http://library.think quest.org/11924/
http://thunder.msfc.nasa.gov/
http://www.mos.org/sln/toe/toe.html