Our grade 7 students recently completed a project delving into global structures and buildings from diverse corners of the world. Students began the project with a Research Planning Document where they analyzed a famous structure by answering the differnet research prompts. Once completed, students found a second building through online searching to create a scale model that would be shared and tested in class.

Once their famous building was selected, students then used their imagination and resourcefulness to create scale models using commonplace household items. The classroom buzzed as plastic bottles, cardboard boxes, popsicle sticks and assorted odds and ends were transformed into the miniature structures.

The models were then put through three trials to test their durability and strength. The first trial subjected the models to a wind test using the classroom fan. The second trial replicated seismic activities, as the models endured an earthquake simulation by shaking a student desk, challenging their structural integrity. Finally, a one kilogram weight tested the load-bearing capacity of each model.

Many of the models are on display in the grade 7 science classrooms and many will serve as inspiration for the students next year and beyond.