Molloy College: EDU 522

Unit Plan

Structures

Mr. Schuster

Lessons
1. The students will be introduced to a unit on structures with a two paged, double spaced report on a
famous structure of their choice. They will learn how to use Microsoft Word, how to correctly save
and locate file places, use a flash drive, proper techniques on how to search google and distinguish
between valid and invalid sources. The structures report instructions may be downloaded from the
Resources tab on this website.
a. After a brief class discussion on structures, using the internet, students will research and
take notes of a famous structure of their choice in order to develop a report two pages long
and citing three sources.
b. After a brief class discussion on criterion of the assignment, students will concentrate on
researching specific essay topics to help build a foundation for their report.
c. After a class lecture on creating introductory and conclusion paragraphs, students will
create these paragraphs, at least three sentences long, for their report.

2. The students will learn what forces are and how structures account for them. Students will be able
to distinguish between compression, tension and torsion. Students may practice by clicking the
Forces link found in the Resources tab.
a. After a brief lesson and class discussion, the students will be able to distinguish between
different forces and name the specific force.
3. The students will learn about various types of bridges, how theyre constructed and the purpose of
each design. Some bridges that the students will learn about are beam, truss, arch, suspension,
draw and cable stay bridges.
a. After a brief lesson and class activity, students will be able to choose the correct bridge for
specific circumstances.
4. The students will learn how to use West Point Bridge Designer to design and create a truss bridge
that cost less than $500,000 and will allow the truck to safely cross the bridge. The students will
learn how to use tools in the program in order to help them construct their bridge.
a. After a brief demonstration, students will be able to design a truss bridge that allows the
truck to successfully cross while costing less than $500,000.
5. The students will learn how to use their West Point Bridge Design as a template to work on top of.
They will their truss bridge out of balsa wood and Elmers glue using diagonal cutters, push pins,
waxed paper and a masonite board.
a. The students will be able to use tools and materials safely and correctly in order to
construct a balsa wood bridge that holds as much weight as possible.