Build Teepees

Fri, Nov 7, 2014

Materials: Small twigs, large sticks, toy character

Activity: Build a teepee for your character. Lean several twigs or sticks against each other, to form a teepee. Tie a string around the top, or wrap a pipe cleaner around the top. Notice if it stands freely or falls down. If it falls down, try to fix it. If it stands up, try adding forces to knock it down. Add different forces; blow on it, tap it, shove it, or squirt water on it. Try adding forces from different directions; from above, from the side or from underneath.

Research Questions: How does the length of the stick affect the stability of the teepee? Straightness of stick? Number of sticks? How do different forces affect the stability of the teepee?

Resources:

Different Ways to Build a Campfire.

'Twig Teepees'. Williams, R. et al. (2010) Science Adventures, pgs. 244-245.

Tags: Earth Materials Life Science 2014