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These resources have been reviewed and selected by STEM Learning’s team of education specialists for factual accuracy and relevance to teaching STEM subjects in UK schools.

Super structures

This is one of a set of resources developed to support the teaching of the primary national curriculum. They are designed to support the delivery of key topics within design and technology, maths and science (in this case mainly design and technology). This resource focusses on developing understanding of structures by making a geodesic dome.

Structures are all around us. They enable buildings, bridges and vehicles to withstand the stresses placed on them every day. Can you identify the shapes used when building and reinforcing structures?

In this activity learners will make a geodesic dome from drinking straws and chenille strips (pipe cleaners). This is a challenging activity requiring teamwork and good manual dexterity.

This could be used as a one-off activity or as part of a wider unit of work focussing on structures and structural systems. It could also, for example, be linked with the IET primary activity ‘stronger structures’, which involves testing the structural strength of different shapes.

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