DRIVING QUESTION: What makes something strong?

Problem-Centered Unit for Middle School Technology and Physical Education

Prepared for Tuttle Middle School students by: Doug Showalter and Andy Craig.

TECHNOLOGY GOALS

I want my students to design and create structures, learn about forces that act on structures, test structures and materials for strength, and in general learn what affects the strength of a structure. This is the focus of my unit on construction in the eighth grade. In the past we have built model bridges, and tested them with a structural tester designed for that purpose. What I plan to do, is present them with the following driving question: WHAT MAKES SOMETHING STRONG?

PHYSICAL EDUCATION GOALS

This unit will be based on the principles of how strength can be acquired, how it can be maintained, and the importance of its maintenance. It is my hope that they will be able to develop a plan for a personal fitness program that will help them maintain a healthy lifestyle.

Page created by Doug Showalter and Andy Craig. Last updated December 5, 2000