Amazing Triangles

• ·       Firstly, we discussed the different types of shapes we know and discussed which 3 d shapes would be best to use for building. We then viewed pictures of buildings made from different shapes. We thought the Eiffel Tower which is shaped like a triangle looked very strong and steady.
• ·       We then divided into groups and tested different shapes. We made the structures using cocktail sticks and marshmallows.
• ·       We started by making a cube. This took 8 sweets and 12 cocktail sticks. It looked stable but when we put pressure on it the shape became deformed and stretched like a parallelogram.
• ·       We then made a triangular based pyramid. This also looked strong and when we put pressure on it we discovered that it was stronger than the cube.
• ·       We then made a square based pyramid. This looked very steady and when we tested it we discovered that it was the strongest of all the structures and did not become deformed when pressure was applied.
• ·       The next step was a construction challenge, which we did in small groups. We were given a number of cocktail sticks and marshmallows and asked to make the tallest structure we could. This was difficult to do without it falling over. We discovered that a square base worked better to keep it stable. 
•       The next part of the construction challenge was to build to biggest and strongest stricture. Most people used the triangular base and based their structure on the Eiffel Tower.