Solving Problems: Dams, Bridges and Canals

Part 1
Ask questions and make predictions
Part 2
Plan and investigate
Part 3
Record and analyse data
Part 4
Evaluate the information
Part 5
Communicate and share ideas

Information for Teachers

Curriculum links

Australian Science Standards

CS (ACSSU074) Uses of materials based on their properties

ESS (ACSSU075) Earth’s surface changes over time as a result of natural process and human activity

ESS (ACSSU075) Effects of flood and extreme weather on the landscape

UIS (ACSHE062) Science knowledge helps people to understand the effect of their actions

New Zealand Science Achievement Objectives

NTTK: Materials are selected based on desired performance criteria

PW: The properties of different groups of substances are linked to the way they are used in society or occur in nature

Helpful websites

You may want to direct your students to some or all of these websites to help with their investigations.

https://science.howstuffworks.com/engineering/structural/10-amazing-bridges1.htm

https://easyscienceforkids.com/all-about-bridges/

http://www.sciencekids.co.nz/sciencefacts/engineering/dams.html

https://kids.britannica.com/kids/article/canal/352905#intro

Students can find out about amazing structures by using search words, e.g. building+amazing+structures+bridges (canals, dams) and about specific projects using searches like this: The+building+of+the+golden+gate+bridge

How to search the internet

1 Keep your request short

Fewer words will give a more accurate search.

2 Choose exactly what you want

For example: Arctic Circle Climate

3 Use quotes

Double quotes around a set of words tell the search engine to consider those exact words in that exact order without any change. For example: “Arctic Circle Climate”

4 Use the plus sign (+)

If you add a plus sign (+) between words, the internet will search for all the words. For example: migrate+birds+whales+mammal

5 Use the minus sign (–) to say what you don’t want

Use a minus sign (–) to show words you do not want to appear in your results. For example: if you search for burrowing animals and do not want mammals in your search,  –mammals will exclude mammals. Note that you need to put a space before the minus sign for the word to be excluded.

6 Be very clear about what you don’t want

Part 1
Ask questions and make predictions

After reading Solving Problems: Dams, Bridges and Canals, you are probably amazed at how these structures are built, and you might have many questions about the topic.

List your questions

  • Compare your list with questions that others have.
  • Choose a question you would like to investigate.
  • You can work alone, with a partner, or in a small group. 

You may want to choose one or more of these questions to investigate

Q1. What other amazing dams, bridges, and canals have been built?

Q2. How has the construction of these types of structures changed over time?

Q3. What problems have designers and builders had to overcome to create amazing dams, bridges, and canals?

Q4. How does the building of these structures help people? What problems might they cause?

Go to Part 2 Plan and investigate →