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🏗️ Weeks 5-6: Structural Engineering

Unit Overview
Grade Level Grades 5-6
Duration 2 sessions (45 min each)
STREAM Focus E (Engineering), M (Math), S (Science)

Weeks 5-6: Structural Engineering

🎯 Learning Objectives

STEM Objectives

Students will be able to: 1. Analyze forces in structures (tension, compression, shear) 2. Identify structural elements (beams, columns, trusses, arches) 3. Calculate efficiency ratios 4. Design, build, and test optimized structures

Faith Integration Objectives

Students will be able to: 1. Connect structural engineering to building God's kingdom 2. Understand the Church as a structure with each member supporting others 3. Appreciate the engineering of great cathedrals as acts of worship

Weeks 5-6: Structural Engineering

🙏 Faith-Reason Integration

Catholic Teaching Connection

The Church as Living Stones — St. Peter describes Christians as "living stones" being built into a spiritual house. Just as physical structures need every piece in the right place, the Church needs every member contributing their gifts.

Scripture Connection

"You also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood." — 1 Peter 2:5

Saint Connection

Medieval Cathedral Builders — The great Gothic cathedrals were engineering marvels built as acts of worship. Engineers and craftsmen worked for generations to create structures that lifted hearts to God.

📚 Materials Needed

  • KEVA planks (300+)

  • Straws and connectors

  • Testing weights (standardized)

  • Scale for weighing structures

  • Rulers and measuring tape

  • Calculators

  • Structural element cards/images

Session 1: Forces & Structural Elements

📝 Lesson Procedure (45 minutes)

Opening Prayer & Introduction (5 min)

Prayer: "Lord, You are the foundation and cornerstone of our lives. Help us understand how structures stand strong and how we, as living stones, can build Your kingdom. Amen."

Wonder moment: Show images of impressive structures:

  • Notre Dame Cathedral

  • Golden Gate Bridge

  • Burj Khalifa

Question: "How do these structures stand? What keeps them from falling?"

Forces in Structures (12 min)

Three main forces:

1. Compression 💀

  • Squeezing force

  • Pushes inward

  • Think: standing on a pillar

  • Example: Columns, arches

2. Tension ↔️

  • Stretching force

  • Pulls outward

  • Think: pulling a rope

  • Example: Cables, ties

3. Shear ↕️↕️

  • Sliding force

  • Forces moving past each other

  • Think: scissors cutting

  • Example: Bolts, connections

Demonstration:

  • Show compression by pressing on eraser

  • Show tension by stretching rubber band

  • Show shear by sliding books past each other

Structural Elements (10 min)

Key structural elements:

Beams — Horizontal members spanning between supports

  • Resist bending (compression on top, tension on bottom)

Columns — Vertical members carrying weight down

  • Resist compression

Trusses — Triangular arrangements

  • Triangles are STRONG (can't deform like squares)

  • Distribute forces efficiently

Arches — Curved elements pushing outward

  • Convert vertical load to horizontal thrust

  • Very efficient for compression

Gothic cathedral engineering:

  • Flying buttresses handle outward thrust

  • Pointed arches distribute weight

  • Ribbed vaults span large spaces

Faith connection: "Cathedral builders solved incredible engineering challenges so they could create spaces that lifted hearts to God. Their science was an act of worship!"

Guided Exploration (15 min)

Mini-challenges:

Challenge 1: Triangle vs. Square

  • Build a triangle from straws

  • Build a square from straws

  • Press down — which deforms? Which holds?

Challenge 2: Beam Study

  • Span a beam (ruler or plank) between two supports

  • Add weight to middle

  • What happens? Why?

Challenge 3: Truss Power

  • Add diagonal support to the square

  • Test again — what changed?

Closing & Preview (3 min)

Faith Connection: "St. Peter calls us 'living stones.' Each stone in a cathedral has a purpose. Each of us has a purpose in God's kingdom. What's YOUR structural role?"

Preview: "Next session: design and build for maximum efficiency!"

Session 2: Optimization Challenge

📝 Lesson Procedure (45 minutes)

Opening Prayer & Review (4 min)

Prayer: "Lord, help us build wisely today — both physical structures and our lives. May everything we create honor You. Amen."

Quick review: "What are the three forces? Why are triangles strong?"

Efficiency Challenge Introduction (6 min)

Challenge: Build the most EFFICIENT structure.

Efficiency = Weight Held ÷ Structure Weight

Example:

  • Structure A: Weighs 50g, holds 500g → Efficiency = 10

  • Structure B: Weighs 100g, holds 800g → Efficiency = 8

  • Structure A is MORE EFFICIENT!

Constraints:

  • Must span a 12" gap

  • Must hold weight at center

  • KEVA planks only (counted and weighed)

  • 10 minutes build time

Strategy discussion:

  • "Use FEWER materials wisely, not MORE materials wastefully"

  • "Where do you need strength? Where can you save?"

  • "Triangles, trusses, strategic placement"

Design Phase (5 min)

Quick planning:

  • Sketch your design

  • Mark where forces will flow

  • Identify structural elements used

  • Estimate materials needed

Build Phase (15 min)

Construction time!

Teacher circulates:

  • "Where are the compression members?"

  • "Where are the tension members?"

  • "How are you using triangles?"

  • "Where could you remove unnecessary material?"

Encourage strategic thinking:

  • Every piece should have a purpose

  • Test as you build

  • Be willing to redesign

Testing & Analysis (12 min)

Test each structure: 1. Weigh structure (record) 2. Place across gap 3. Add weight gradually until failure (record max) 4. Calculate efficiency ratio

Class data collection:

Team Structure Weight Weight Held Efficiency
A 45g 600g 13.3
B 60g 720g 12.0
... ... ... ...

Analysis discussion:

  • "Which was most efficient? Why?"

  • "What design choices led to efficiency?"

  • "What would you do differently?"

Reflection & Closing (3 min)

Engineering principles learned:

  • Triangles distribute force

  • Efficiency matters

  • Design with purpose

Faith Connection: "In God's kingdom, every person matters. Like an efficient structure where every piece has purpose, the Church needs every member. You're not extra or unnecessary — you're a 'living stone' with an irreplaceable role!"

Closing Prayer: "Thank You, God, for the gift of engineering. Help us build structures that serve others and build Your kingdom with our lives. May we each fulfill our purpose as living stones. Amen."

✅ Assessment

Session 1

  • Identified three main forces in structures

  • Named key structural elements

  • Demonstrated understanding through exploration

Session 2

  • Designed structure with clear strategy

  • Built within constraints

  • Calculated and compared efficiency

  • Connected engineering to faith

📎 Home Connection

"We studied structural engineering! Ask your child: 'What are the three forces in structures?' 'Why are triangles strong?' 'What's efficiency in engineering?' Notice structures around you — bridges, buildings, furniture. Discuss how we're called to be 'living stones' in God's kingdom, each with a purpose."

Unit Version: 1.0 | Last Updated: 2025-12-05