Track Builders

Overview:

In this activity, pupils build a structure to support a rail track out of everyday materials like lollipop sticks and clothes pegs. You could challenge pupils to cross an obstacle or build on an unusual surface.

The track for a high-speed train has to be straight and level. If there are too many turns, or the train has to go up or down a hill it will have to slow down. Our country is full of obstacles – from hills, rivers and parks to roads, towns and airports. Sometimes we have to build tunnels, bridges, embankments and cuttings so that our track can get past these obstacles while staying in a straight line.

Learning objectives:

Students will learn to:

• Build structures, exploring how they can be made stronger and more stable.
• Explain how the need for a train to travel in a straight-line impacts on the design of a railway.
• Apply their knowledge of materials to adapt their designs when building on different surfaces.

Students will use the Essential Skills of creativity, problem solving and staying positive.

Delivery notes:

This activity will take about 30 to 60 minutes to complete.

Pupils will need a range of building materials to make their structure. We recommend using everyday objects such as lollipop sticks and clothes pegs, which can be reused by other students.