BUILDING A GEODESIC DOME
A WebQuest for 8th Grade Physical Science and Engineering
Designed by Mr. Fournier and Mrs. Driscoll
Introduction | Task | Process | Evaluation | Conclusion | Credits | Teacher Page
Introduction
Have you ever been to Spaceship Earth at the Epcot Center? How would football or soccer players play their sport if stadium roofs needed support columns?
The Spaceship Earth and stadium roofs are examples of geodesic domes. Geodesic domes are a type of structural design used in many buildings. I bet you did not realize how many structures are geodesic domes in your community!
You are a structural engineer for the Buckminster Fuller Construction Company. Your company has been chosen by the Lincoln Middle School Living Classroom Committee to submit a proposal for the design and construction of a geodesic dome prototype. You will work with a team of four to create a prototype, which must have a span of 25 cm and will need to hold a minimum of 100 grams per square cm. If your team's prototype is selected, it may be proposed as the Living Classroom design!
Process
Research and Design:
Each member of your team will be assigned a specific expert role. Each expert must become familiar with their area in order to teach the team what they have learned.
- Expert on history of geodesic domes
- Expert on the advantages and disadvantages of geodesic domes
- Expert on the types of geodesic domes
- Expert on the current uses and locations of geodesic domes
Each expert will work individually for one class period researching his/her area.
Similar experts from other groups will work with each other for one class period to compile their data on a shared class document on Think.com.
After all expert areas have posted data, groups will work together in the planning and designing of a geodesic dome prototype (a model), using the information presented from all expert groups. Designs must be done on graph paper and will need to include the following:
- dimensions of protoype's height and diameter based on the given strut and chord lengths
- plan for how each piece will be placed together
- calculations for strut length
Research and Design Links:
http://www.grunch.net/synergetics/domes/domehist.html
http://www.domeincorporated.com/geodesic-domes-history.html
http://inventors.about.com/library/inventors/bldome.htm
http://www.legoeducation.com/content/item.aspx?CategoryID=59&ap=2&art=29
http://www.domeincorporated.com/geodesic-domes-history.html
http://www.legoeducation.com/content/item.aspx?CategoryID=59&ap=1&art=29
http://www.legoeducation.com/content/item.aspx?CategoryID=59&ap=4&art=29
http://www.telacommunications.com/geodome.htm
Advantages and Disadvantages of geodesic domes:
http://www.legoeducation.com/content/item.aspx?CategoryID=59&ap=3&art=29
http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4186/is_20050707/ai_n14809597
http://www.infoforbuilding.com/Domes_N.html
http://www.gardendome.com/whydomes.htm
Current uses and locations of geodesic domes:
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/buildingbig/dome/index.html
http://science.howstuffworks.com/eden.htm
http://www.domeincorporated.com/geodesic-dome-uses.html
http://www.geodesic-greenhouse-kits.com/gardening_winter_growing_cooling.php
Construction:
In your team, decide who will fill the following positions:
You will have 3 class periods to build your prototype. Using the patterns and plans as guidelines, prepare your materials for the assembly process.
At the beginning of each class period, your team will document the anticipated goals for the class in your team journal. A brief description of what was accomplished and if the goals were met will be recorded at the end of the class period.
You will share the success and failure of your dome by performing a strength test. Make sure you find the mass of your prototype before testing.
We will test the strength by measuring the maximum mass your dome can hold.
Upon completion of the strength test, your team is to perform an error analysis and present the findings in the conclusion sheet.
Construction Roles:
Equipment Manager - Responsible for securing necessary materials, tools, and equipment. Ensuring the safety of those in the group and returning all items to proper storage location.
Reporter - Responsible for presenting data and findings. Also responsible for posing group's questions to teacher.
Recorder - Responsible for gathering input from team members for daily journal entries. Documentation of team's progress for each class and if goals were met are to be recorded in journal.
Scheduler/Time Manager - Responsible for keeping group on task, meeting daily goals and deadlines. Establishes approximate times tasks and duties should be accomplished by.
Evaluation
A rubric will be given to each team member. Each member will receive a separate grade for their research. You will be graded as a group for design and presentation. A peer evaluation score will also be included as an assessment for your group process.
|
Beginning 1 |
Developing 2 |
Accomplished 3 |
Exemplary 4 |
Score |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Independent Research
|
Only a couple of facts are listed about the expert area. Not enough data is collected to understand the topic. | A few facts are listed about the expert area. Some facts are not detailed enough to completely understand the topic. |
Some facts are listed about the expert area. All details are specific, explanatory, and supportive of the topic. | Several facts are listed about the expert area. All details are specific, explanatory, and supportive of the subject. | |
Group Prototype Design
| Design plans are missing 2 or more of the following:
|
Design plans include at least 3 of the following:
|
Design plans include all of the following but may not be fully clear:
|
Design plans include all of the following, are clear and easy to follow:
|
|
Testing and Presentation
| Conclusion sheet is missing 2 of the following:
|
Conclusion sheet contains error analysis discussion and either prototype mass or strength to mass ratio:
|
All of the following are included in presentation with correct units and formulas:
|
All of the following are included in presentation with correct units and formulas:
|
|
Collaborative Work
|
Minimal contribution in all aspects of group work. | Some contribution in all aspects of group work. | Participated in fair share of total work. | Exemplary participation demonstrated by leadership and support for group members. |
Conclusion
The next time you visit Epcot, climb on a jungle gym, or enter an indoor sports stadium, you will have a much better understanding of how these structures hold together. Hopefully you now understand what Mr. Buckminster Fuller was referring to when he said "Don't oppose forces, use them!"
Credits & References
Illustrations provided by the following:
Growing spaces - http://www.geodesic-greenhouse-kits.com
http://www.photohome.com/pictures/mixed/epcot-1.html
http://www.gardendome.com/steel_domes.html
http://awas.up.nic.in/LinkFile/Photo.htm
We all benefit by being generous with our work. Permission is hereby granted for other educators to copy this WebQuest, update or otherwise modify it, and post it elsewhere provided that the original author's name is retained along with a link back to the original URL of this WebQuest. On the line after the original author's name, you may add Modified by (your name) on (date). If you do modify it, please let me know and provide the new URL.
Last updated 3/13/07 . Based on a template from The WebQuest Page