Grade 7 Forces Activities

Internal Forces

1. Watch this brief video outlining the 5 internal forces. Please note there is no sound!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8IN544ZKzmQ


2. Check out this link to work with the 5 internal forces

http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/buildingbig/lab/forces.html


External Forces

1. Click this link to read about and test out external forces or loads

http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/buildingbig/lab/loads.html


Materials

Do some experiments to test out which building materials are the best. Based on cost, strength, and weight; which building material do you think is best? Hint: read about the pros and cons!

http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/buildingbig/lab/materials.html


Shape

Experiment with different shapes to see which ones are strongest. What makes the one shape so strong?

http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/buildingbig/lab/shapes.html


Fun stuff when you are done! Check out wonderville!

http://www.wonderville.ca/asset/forces-of-wonder

When complete, read about Bridge Basics and complete the Bridge Challenge!

http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/buildingbig/bridge/index.html