1. Geometric Shapes Structures
What shapes form the strongest structures?
Geometric Shapes Structures

2. Basic Shapes circle Parallelogram Rectangle oval Square Trapezoid
Isosceles
Triangle
Parallelogram
Trapezoid
Right
Triangle
Rectangle
Rhombus
Equilateral
Triangle
oval
Square

3. In order to construct a solid structure geometric shapes must be used.
Some may be as simple as a straight board used, which is a line or as complex as different types of windows which could be anything from triangles to octagon and beyond.
No matter how you look at it geometric shapes must be used in order to construct a durable structure.

4. Jungle gym in the playground

5. bridge

10. Gumdrop Structure Challenge
Your challenge: Using 10 gumdrops and 20 toothpicks, design a structure that can hold the weight of a large textbook.

11. Gumdrop Structures
Cube
Diamond
Triangle

12. Sample Question the Teacher will ask as you build.
How will your roof affect the home’s ability to be tested?
How could you strengthen the joints?
How could you broaden the base to give the house more support?
How does the number of toothpicks stuck into one gumdrop affect the strength of the joint?
We will share successes and failures so we can learn from one another.

13. Improve and Discuss
What structures or methods of construction have you tried that aren’t working?
What structures or method of construction are you planning to include in your final design?
What have you found about this structure that will help your design meet the challenge?
Whether or not your design was able to meet the challenge, what did you learn while completing this activity?
With more toothpicks and gumdrops, what modifications would you make to test for strength?