Modern Day Pyramids
Empire State Building, New York, NY.Copyright U.S. Department of Transportation, http://www.tfhrc.gov/
Students investigate the ways in which ancient technologies — six types of simple machines and combinations — are used to construct modern buildings. As they work together to solve a design problem (designing and building a modern structure), they brainstorm ideas, decide on a design, and submit it to a design review before acquiring materials to create it (in this case, a mural depicting it). Emphasis is placed on cooperative, creative teamwork and the steps of the engineering design process.
Ancient technologies are still incredibly important in modern-day work. Engineers most often use simple machines in the combined form of complex machines, to implement their design solutions. These machines enable engineers to design more complicated products, because the machines simplify the manufacturing or construction process into smaller, more manageable pieces. The engineering design process is a series of steps that engineering teams use to guide them as they solve problems. Creative teamwork and the engineering design process are important methods that can be broadly applied to many problem-solving pursuits.
After this activity, students should be able to:
- Describe the use of simple machines in single and complex applications.
- Describe how simple machines used long ago can contribute to the design of structures in modern-day engineering.
- Explain the basic steps of the engineering design process.
- Describe how a group of real-world engineers proceeds with the design process, including brainstorming, decision making and design review phases.
- Explain the value of and effectively work in teams, using creative brainstorming and analysis to find a solution to a problem.