Inquiry | Model Materials

 Our focus for inquiry was to determine the materials and the amount of the materials we would use to build a model for an emergency structure.

First, we brainstormed a list of materials to use for our shelter model. We thought about what materials we would use for different parts of the structural design such as walls, protection layers, windows and doors.

We knew that the maximum height of the shelter models would be 20 centimeters, so we applied that knowledge to measure the correct amount of materials and which materials would be best to survive a natural disaster.

Next, we measured the other dimensions of our structure to find out the other amount of the materials we would use. Our structure's dimensions were 20cm in height, 66cm in length all the way around and 2cm in depth or width. 

We found out the area and volume of the shelter by multiplying the height by the width. To find out the centimetres cubed as the measurement for the concrete, we needed to multiply the area by 2, then convert that to cubic meters.

I really enjoyed measuring the different dimensions of our shelter to calculate the amount of materials. Our company also found that figuring out the amount of materials needed was difficult but enjoyable.

LI: to prepare materials order for construction.