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About the Workshop
This hands-on session guides learners through the engineering process, with a specific focus on the construction industry.
Learners identify the different careers required to build a strong structure that is safe and can withstand both the environmental and human impact, and then consider the transferable skills that are key to success in structural engineering.
We take a look at what can affect stability, different forces that need to be considered, and how mathematics can be used to aid a design. Then, using the information they have learnt, participants will complete their own engineering challenge; in teams they must design a tower that is as tall and strong as possible.
With a limited budget and a range of recycled materials to choose from, they will plan and build their towers, which will then be tested against the elements of a ‘hurricane’ and ‘earthquake’, using an industrial fan and earthquake simulator.
The session concludes with a reflective class discussion on tower performance and consideration of the science behind this.
By the end of the session, students will have learnt about structural engineering and understand the engineering process, as well as develop the transferable skills that are key for a successful career in STEM.
Tower Tournament can be adapted to suit KS2 and KS3. We can also use our links with STEM ambassadors to reach out to local ambassadors to support the day and help raise aspirations by providing an insight into the world of work.
Student Learning
Curriculum Links:
Geography – Developing knowledge about diverse places, people, resources and natural and human environments.
Maths – Use the fundamentals of mathematics to solve a variety of problems.
Design and Technology - Understand developments in design and technology and the responsibilities of designers, engineers and technologists. Build and apply a repertoire of knowledge, understanding and skills in order to design and make high-quality prototypes and products for a wide range of users.
English – Following instructions, speaking, listening, sharing ideas and presenting
PSHE– Develop skills for future success.
Skills Builder Framework Links
Listening
Problem solving
Speaking
Creativity
Staying positive
Teamwork
Aiming high
Leadership
We can deliver a drop-down day or aspirations week in your school!
This activity would work well with:
Logistics and Planning
Logistics and Planning:
Tower Tournament requires a classroom with a projector.
This session is designed for a group of 30 learners.
Between 45 – 90 minutes.
We ask that a teacher is always present throughout the activities, to support learner engagement and manage behaviour.
Tower Tournament - Structural Engineering
Workshops can be booked on their own and delivered on rotation throughout the day or delivered as part of a series of workshops,
where classes rotate between multiple activities.
Groups of approximately 45 learners
Keystage 2. 3, 4 and 5
45-90 minutes