Fort Force Teacher Guide
Fort Force
Teacher Facilitation Guide
Duration 45 MIN
Lesson Objective
Students will apply their understanding of compression to engineer a structure that supports a specific load. They will identify and utilize the Post and Lintel system to distribute weight.
Materials
- • Index Cards (20 per team)
- • Masking Tape (1 foot)
- • Stuffed Animal / Weight
- • Rulers (1 per team)
- • Rubber band & Sponge
Instructional Pacing
5 MIN
Warm-Up: Tension vs. Compression
Demonstrate forces using two props:
- Rubber Band (Tension): Pull the band tight. Explain that tension is a "pulling" force.
- Sponge (Compression): Push hands together on the sponge. Explain that compression is a "pushing" force.
5 MIN
Video Viewing: Discussion
Key Concept: The Post and Lintel system (two vertical "posts" supporting one horizontal "lintel").
The Cushion Tunnel
Ask: "How did the vertical pillows (posts) stay up when the roof (lintel) was added?"
Compression Force
Discuss how the roof weight "squeezes" the walls into the floor to keep them stable.
25 MIN
Main Activity: Cardboard Fort Challenge
Students build a structure at least 6 inches tall that can support a stuffed animal.
Success Criteria:
- • Support weight for 10 seconds.
- • Use at least 2 "posts" (columns).
- • Only 20 index cards and 12" tape.
Engineering Tip:
Walk around and suggest rolling cards into cylinders or folding into triangular prisms. These shapes are much stronger under compression!
Key Vocabulary
Compression
A pushing force that squeezes materials together.
Tension
A pulling force that stretches materials tight.
Post & Lintel
A building system with two vertical posts and a beam.
Structure
Something built from parts to support a specific load.
Fort Force Slides
Fort Force
STRUCTURAL ENGINEERING CHALLENGE
Warm Up: Pull vs. Push
Tension
"The Pulling Force"
Compression
"The Pushing Force"
Embedded media
Post and Lintel
The cushions in the video formed a simple structure used by engineers for thousands of years!
POSTS: The vertical walls that hold everything up.
LINTEL: The horizontal roof that sits on top.
Lintel
Post
Post
The Challenge
Build a structure that supports the "Roof Cushion" (Stuffed Animal).
Specs:
- At least 6 inches tall
- Use a Post and Lintel system
- Stand for 10 seconds
20 Index Cards
12" Tape
Shape Power
Cylinders
Strong and round! Weight spreads out evenly.
Triangles
Unbeatable! They don't buckle under pressure.
BUILD!
Build Time
25:00
Fort Force Design Log
Fort Force
Engineering Design Log
Name:
Date:
Mission Briefing
Use compression to build a structure at least 6 inches tall using index cards and tape. It must support the weight of the "roof" (stuffed animal) for 10 seconds.
Phase 1: Blueprints
Sketch your design below
Column Shape:
Cylinders
Triangles
Number of Posts:
Phase 2: Results
It held the weight!
It collapsed.
Duration held:
Reflection
Design Improvement:
If you could build it again, what would you change?
