Materials List: Construct and Test Roofs for Different Climates

  • an assortment of materials for students to create model homes; use what you have available; suggestions: cardboard, poster board, foam core board, sticks, straws, Popsicle sticks, toothpicks, golf tees, old cloth, foil, felt, straw, rocks, clay, wood, beans, Play-doh, string, duct tape, paper clips, mosaic tiles, etc.
  • various roofing materials (use whatever is available, such as cardboard, clay for adobe houses, hay or long grass for grass huts, corkboard, saran wrap for roof for tropics houses, etc.)
  • classroom tools, such as pencils, pens, markers, rulers, scissors, glue and tape
  • (optional) additional tools, such as hammer, nails, screwdriver, screws, pliers, various mechanical fasteners, tape measures
  • weather elements: water, strainer, ice cubes, hair dryer to produce wind, coins, washers
  • "Houses and Homes" by Ann Morris ($18, check your local library)
  • Student Activity Worksheet or Climate Appropriate House Design Worksheet, one per group
  • (if focusing on China) Climate Background Design Information for China, one copy for teacher
https://www.teachengineering.org/activities/view/roofs_for_different_climates