Design a Playground Project

Grade 7 Science – Structures and Forces

Overview: You will demonstrate an understanding of structure types; building and joining
materials; loads and stresses; structure failures; structure safety; and performance
requirements through the design of a playground.

Project Requirements:

1. gather and record background information in your notebook to help guide you in the
design and creation of your model playground

2. draw a basic design of your playground; playgrounds must include:

 at least three different playground pieces

 elements that include different types of structures
 a list of materials you will use to build your model

3. Build a model of your playground

4. Identify each of the following within your design and model:

 the type of structure each piece and why it is the best choice for that piece
 different types of forces and stresses placed on the playground and where potential
areas of failure are located
 how weight of the structure is distributed and how this creates stability in the
structure
 where frictional forces are present within the structure
 areas where safety need to be addressed
 which materials you have used to make the model and why you choose these materials
 methods of building and how they contribute to strength and flexibility within the
structure

Final Product

The final product should contain two parts:

1. the model of the playground – highlighting (labelling) all the areas in part 4
2. a written report that thoroughly explains all the information relevant to your
structure
 Project Assessment

Outcome 4 3 2 1
Outstanding Proficient Adequate Not Yet
Describe Student has built and Student has built and Student has built and Student
and identified at least two identified at least two identified at least two has not
different types of different types of different types of yet met
interpret
structures within their structures within their structures within their this
different model. model. model. outcome.
types of Student has also Student has also
structures justified their choice justified their choice
of structure type with of structure type with a
two or more reasons least one reason for
for each structure. each structure.
1. Investigate Student can identify Student can identify Student can identify Student
and analyze and describe all the and describe most the and describe some of has not
following within the following within the the following within the yet met
forces
structures: structures (3-4): structures (1-2): this
within -frictional forces -frictional forces -frictional forces outcome.
structures, - areas of stresses and - areas of stresses and - areas of stresses and
and forces forces placed on the forces placed on the forces placed on the
applied to structure structure structure
-possible areas of -possible areas of -possible areas of
them.
failures with the failures with the failures with the
structure structure structure
-where stability of the -where stability of the -where stability of the
structure has been structure has been structure has been
considered in the design considered in the design considered in the design
-where material -where material -where material
strength has been strength has been strength has been
considered in the considered in the considered in the
design. design. design.
2. Investigate Student can justify Student can justify Student used materials Student
and analyze their material choices their material choices in their structures has not
in the structures in the structures which demonstrated an yet met
the
demonstrating an demonstrating an understanding of the this
properties understanding of the understanding of the importance of: outcome.
of materials importance of: importance of: -strength
used in -strength -strength -flexibility
-flexibility -flexibility -aesthetics
structures.
-aesthetics -aesthetics -safety
-safety -safety
Student can also
suggest areas where
material choices could
improve.
3. Demonstrate Student can identify Student can identify Student can identify Student
and factors which could factors which could factors which could has not
compromise structure compromise structure compromise structure yet met
describe
stability and safety stability and safety stability and safety. this
processes and describe ways in and describe ways in outcome.
used in which these factors which these factors
developing, could be minimized or could be minimized or
evaluating improved upon and use improved upon.
these to improve the
and
margin of safety within
improving their structures.
structures
that will
meet human
needs with
a margin of
safety.