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I really enjoyed our first class. I really liked learning more about noticing patterns doing this lesson. I think that this would be a great lesson to teach my students. I also liked how we were able to use what we learned in this class about shapes and stability in our other classes.

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I really enjoyed our first class. I really liked learning more about noticing patterns doing this lesson. I think that this would be a great lesson to teach my students. I also liked how we were able to use what we learned in this class about shapes and stability in our other classes.

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Tina lLara

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I thought class was great and I loved learning more about noticing patterns. I think that this would be a great lesson to teach to my class. I lso

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I thought class was great and I loved learning more about noticing patterns. I think that this would be a great lesson to teach to my class. I lso

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Since the triangle is the most stable figure, the way to
make any structure more stable is to split it up into triangular sections. In
the marshmallow activity later in the day yesterday, we had the opportunity to
put this knowledge to use. Our group used the triangle to construct a structure,
which turned out to be very unstable. I don’t think the triangle failed us, we
failed the triangle. With more opportunities we could make it work.

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Since the triangle is the most stable figure, the way to
make any structure more stable is to split it up into triangular sections. In
the marshmallow activity later in the day yesterday, we had the opportunity to
put this knowledge to use. Our group used the triangle to construct a structure,
which turned out to be very unstable. I don’t think the triangle failed us, we
failed the triangle. With more opportunities we could make it work.

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Before class I had an understanding of triangles and how they are a very sturdy...you see them everywhere in big structures, but before class I never was asked what shapes were stable and which ones are not. It was very interesting to make the shapes and figure it out hands on. I learned a lot.

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I was thinking of the real life applications in the classroom. Once we have students evaluate stable structures we can work on making structures more stable. For example when we created our spaghetti structures yesterday, we could review how to make the structure more stable and relate this knowledge to real life examples. Understand why some ideas are not effective.

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How can I use what I have learned from the investigation to help me build stable structures?

During the exploration time today in Dan's class my group experimented with using triangular bases to help stabilize our structure while building our tower. It was amazing to be able to use our background knowledge that we had gained earlier in your class and apply it a task to see how it really worked. As a result the tower that my group built was able to a hold a lot more weight than it probably would have been able to hold had we not perviously learned the value of incorporating triangles into a structure to gain stability.

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How can I use what I have learned from the investigation to help me build stable structures?

Through manipulation of the Lego lengths, we were able to determine that the most structurally sound polygon is the triangle. No matter the collection of sides, the various shapes made were not stable unless they were made of triangles. If you look at the beams within buildings, you'll notice diagonal supports which form triangles. This is done so equal compression and tension forces are distributed on all sides and joints.

If we eventually design bridges, we will want to create a series of triangular supports to support maximum weight. We applied the triangle constructs with the marshmallow challenge at the end of the day and with just a few triangular prisms we could hold scissors, a sandal, glasses, and a few marshmallows.

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How

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Through experimenting with all types of polygons we reinforced what I had suspected, that the only brace-free stable polygon is a triangle. In order to stablize any other polygon you can add braces to create a stable structure. During the maker's space time at the end of the day we used this concept to build a stable structure out of spaghetti and marshmellows. We were able to create an approximately 6 inch tall structure that held a pair of scissors, sun glasses, and a pen.

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In order to make structures more stable, you need to incorporate triangles. The structures need to be separated into regions of 180 degrees in order to form the most stable shape. We tried to incorporate this idea into our marshmallow task and had some success. Another group made a very strong structure using these concepts as they started with a stronger base.

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How could you use what you have learned in these explorations to help you build stable structures?

Through manipulation a of various polygons we discovered that constrictions

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When beginning the activity, I really had no clue which would be the strongest polygon. It definitely makes sense that it would be a triangle though because it has the fewest sides that can shift. It is also the shape that can be seen in architecture all over.

I enjoyed this activity. It was a good example of how a learning opportunity can be given where the learner discovers the information rather than just hearing it.

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How can we use what we learned in our exploration to build a structure?

After working to stabilize the different polygons we learned that the triangle is truly the most stable shape. Even in more complex polygons we had to stabilize the structure with braces that ultimately divided the original shape into smaller triangular regions. In Dan's makers fair activity, our group was able to somewhat successfully build a structure that was had some of these same elements. Although our structure was taller than others thanks to us incorporating the triangle in every aspect of the structure from sides to braces, it was not able to properly support heavier items. The difficult part of this question is putting what we know about triangles from theory into actual practice. We found that we could not properly build the structure as we planned with just any materials. Our group knew what to design yet we were held back by the materials provided. I really enjoyed learning about the different structures and but most importantly being given the opportunity to implement those ideas in our own designs in that hands on activity.

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Despite my teachers telling me that hexagons are strong (sorry bees), it was actually triangles that are stable shapes. Triangles are the only shapes that don't need support beams for stability. The other shapes all needed an n-3 amount of supports where n
was the number of sides.

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I enjoyed exploring and having a hands-on experience with building shapes today. I knew that triangles were the strongest structure shape, but I learned that you can make any shape strong and stable by makes triangles with beams at their vertices. I really liked trying to think outside of the box and see what shapes I could make, whether they were complex, concave, or just regular. It was a lot of fun!

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How could you use what you have learned in these explorations to help you build stable structures?  Joe M. Bracamonte

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How could you use what you have learned in these explorations to help you build stable structures?  Joe M. Bracamonte

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Today we learned that a triangle is the only stable shape.  Therefore if you need a more intricate structure creating multiple triangles and connecting them will be the only way.  During our table discussion it became more clear that we actually should have known this based on everything we see.  I wish I had had this information early as this passed weekend my 12 yo daughter asked me how the wooden roller coasters we rode stayed up.  I talked a lot about how they used multiple braces but it never really occurred that every shape was a triangle. Also as a long time soccer coach I realize that the game becomes so much more successful when a team can create triangles throughout the field. I guess a triangle is the best shape :-)

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Today we learned about how strong the shape of a triangle is. It is used in trusses and bridges because of the stability  that it offers.  It was interesting that we were able to take a rectangle or a square, add a support beam to cut the sections up into triangles, and turn the shape into a stable structure. If I ever need to build a solid structure I now know that there has to be triangles or the structure will not be strong enough to hold weight.

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How Can I Use Today's learning to build more stable structures?

The triangle is the stablest of all the polygons we built today and when using other shapes, the triangle helped to increase stability of the shape. Unless I'm building just a triangle, I may want to use braces, or a bar, to create stability within a structure.  By using braces, I can create many triangles within the structure's polygons.   We haven't really answered why the triangle is the most stable...forces applied to a triangle's joint don't seem to cause movement in the joint, keeping the structural integrity whereas with the other polygon shapes (square, etc.) applied forces to a joint cause movement. Does this have something to do with the Newtonian laws of motion? Compression and tension, direction of the applied forces? Whatever the reason, using the triangle, a more stable shape can be used in structures, like when we built the marshmallow towers. We used triangles to create stability and had a tower that held a notebook and stood one spaghetti noodle high.  Tepee's use a triangle, roof's are triangular shaped...in fact the more triangular, the better for holding weight of snow. Using the triangle to create a more stable shape is not a new idea, but it is something I have thought little about until today.

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How can I use what I have learned from the investigation to help me build stable structures?

Well...while working with Brent and Ca

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Today's lesson on using what I learned about.
I was able to understand how triangles are a major support piece for building because they are very stable. Triangles are used in tresses and bridges for this reason. It was interesting that

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How can I use what I have learned from the investigation to help me build stable structures?

The knowledge I gained concerning  the triangle and any regular and irregular shapes that have only three non-braced vertices will help me in constructing a stable structure.  Triangles are a very stable shape and I can see why you can see so many triangles in bridges. If I need to use another shape, I will have an idea on how to stabilize that particular shape.
For further investigation, I would like to investigate convex and concave shapes.

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This bridge near Parkfield came to my mind when working with the manipulative and making them into triangles. It's obvious from the picture of the bridge that this design has kept it in sound shape. It was very beneficial to be aware of the triangle shape of strength and support when doing the marshmallow/spaghetti task later in the day!

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How could you use what you have learned in these explorations to help you build stable structures?

It's all about the triangle. I don't think I have ever really thought about building stable structures. I can say, that I now know the thinking behind some stable structures. I can clearly see the beams on structures and how the beams can helping load distribution. I really enjoyed how this class tied in with all the other activities today. I was able to create a stable structure with noodles and marshmallows, and I knew how many "beams" I should be using.

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After exploring polygons in class and completing the extra reading, it is very clear that triangles are the key to creating a stable structure. If I were building a structure, I would sketch a design first and then troubleshoot possible areas of instability, or include trusses in the design for added support and aesthetics.

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During today's explorations, I learned that the triangle is the one and only stable structure. Manipulating the polygons today showed me that if I want a structure that has strength and resilience it needs to have triangles throughout the structure. I also thought that it was interesting that we could take any polygon that was unstable and add support beams to create triangle shapes within the shape to make that polygon stable. In the future I see this new learning allowing me to have a different perspective when it comes to structures in my classroom, my home, and in my daily routine.

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I have

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If I had to build a stable structure I know now to begin with a stable beginning of a triangle. The triangle has a stable structure that will not cave in on itself with pressure. Our marshmallow structure was the beginning of a strong stable structure; however, we tried to over think it and did not stay with only triangles. If I was in another situation where I needed to build a stable structure I would build separate triangles and try to connect them together with strong connectors as well (not flimsy marshmallows)

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After working with the polygons I realized that the triangle is a very important shape when it comes to building and designing structures. The triangle is very strong and the more that are in a structure the stronger that structure is. I'm not a builder but if I would have known this when I was in 7th grade I could have built a strong bridge in one of my classes.

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How can I use what I have learned today to help me build stable structures?

Having had a previous career in metal fabrication, I was aware of the inherent strength of triangle-patterned supports, but I had never examined the construction forces at work or asked myself "why?"
The exploration with the "lego" blocks helped me explore the strength of triangular support patterns.  It also helped me revisit the triangular substructure of other polygons.  This will be important in constructing strong, stable structures.  My group applied this structure to the marshmallow/spaghetti task for our first iteration.  In subsequent iterations we would build upon that base, but incorporate some additional structural pieces for added strength and stability

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This is a difficult question to answer. I don't know that I will ever be in a position to build a stable structure in a real life situation. If I do ever end up in that situation, I will definitely use the stability of a triangle. I have always understood the need for a brace but I didn't have the knowledge of where or how the brace should be placed. Now I understand that the braces need to be placed in a way that creates a triangle with the vertex of the original polygon as one point in that triangle.

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I learned what a great polygon the triangle is and also how strong it is as a shape. I also learned that even though the may seem strong it may not be and may need to be reinforced.
Also how much shapes and triangles play into the building of bridges.

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I agree with Jimmy ... it would depend on what I was building.

After discovering that triangles had the most stable bases, I came in from school this evening and took a quick look around the house to see if I could spot items that used that structure. In my home there were only three (stationary bike, ironing board, patio chairs), everything else used an alternate structure with added supports.

If the triangle is the most stable of bases, why isn't it used more with everyday items?

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Ivonne Rosetti            As we explored different polygons today, I learned that triangles have the most stability.  We we're then able to correlate on the reason why they use triangles in the building of structures.  We also explored how placing support beams in certain areas of unstable polygons helped give them stability.

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Ivonne Rosetti            As we explored different polygons today, I learned that triangles have the most stability.  We we're then able to correlate on the reason why they use triangles in the building of structures.  We also explored how placing support beams in certain areas of unstable polygons helped give them stability.

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I had always heard that triangles were one of the most stable shapes. I never realized just how much triangles are used in construction. During our investigation we looked at many pictures of bridges and noticed that that the vast majority of them had many triangles in them.

If I were to have to build a structure, I would definitely make sure that the foundational pieces of my structure were based on a design that had triangles incorporated into it.

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I learned that a triangle is extremely strong.  I realized that is why they use them in the construction industry especially in building trusses.  The trusses are what keeps your roof from falling in.  You need to know how much weight your roof will hold if you want to reroof your house.  If you add too much weight like putting tile on a roof that was only made for composite, you will have a major problem.  

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I learned that a triangle is extremely strong.  I realized that is why they use them in the construction industry especially in building trusses.  The trusses are what keeps your roof from falling in.  You need to know how much weight your roof will hold if you want to reroof your house.  If you add too much weight like putting tile on a roof that was only made for composite, you will have a major problem.  

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At our makers fair in Dan’s room, my group attempted to use a triangle base for our marshmallow structure.  We started with a triangle, but it still had square sides; which was a mistake since our structure did not hold any weight.  If I could do that again, I would try to incorporate more triangles or support beams to add stability to the structure.

This activity showed me the strength of triangles in structures, and the importance of support beams in construction.

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How can what I've learned today help me build a stable structure?

It depends on what I am building. If I can get away with using just triangles, then I would try to stick with that. They were inherently stable. I would not have to worry about cross beams.

And now that I think about it, I would try to make any other shape that I needed out of triangles. The triangles could share legs so that I wasn't being redundant and wasting material.

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As I now know how I can create stable structures using triangles and three vertices, I can use this information to notice structures all around us with this detail. I also do some minor carpentry and furniture making so I can use triangles to make my pieces stabe. I had noticed that certain benches use triangles to make rectangles and squares stable but I can now see why.