sturdy structure:
How many textbooks will your structure hold?
Earthquakes happen when a plate scrapes, bumps, or drags along another plate. When does this happen? Constantly. About a half-million quakes rock the Earth every day. That's millions a year. People don't feel most of them because the quake is too small, too far below the surface, or deep in the sea. Some, however, are so powerful they can be felt thousands of miles away.
During an earthquake, the most damage takes place when structures are unable to withstand the vigorous shakes of the earthquake. As an engineer, it is your job to design and build a structure rigid enough to withstand the shock of an earthquake.
Challenge:
New corporate buildings are needed in downtown Los Angeles, California. The companies want to be sure their buildings are capable of withstanding possible earthquakes. You must design and build a prototype to present to the companies.
Criteria
The prototype (model) must be able to withstand the “shake test” and four heavy textbooks stacked on top of the structure.
It Must Include:
LEGO technic pieces
During an earthquake, the most damage takes place when structures are unable to withstand the vigorous shakes of the earthquake. As an engineer, it is your job to design and build a structure rigid enough to withstand the shock of an earthquake.
Challenge:
New corporate buildings are needed in downtown Los Angeles, California. The companies want to be sure their buildings are capable of withstanding possible earthquakes. You must design and build a prototype to present to the companies.
Criteria
The prototype (model) must be able to withstand the “shake test” and four heavy textbooks stacked on top of the structure.
It Must Include:
- 4 walls
- 2 stories (each story must be at least 5 inches in height)
- Must be freestanding
- The structure can be no more than 6 inches in width and length
LEGO technic pieces