Activity

Waterproofing the Roof

Curated and Reviewed by Lesson Planet
This Waterproofing the Roof activity also includes:

Can your pupils build a roof that stands the test of time? Use an insightful engineering design project to highlight both materials science and architecture. Scholars either team up or work as individuals to design, create, and test a roof to determine which features and building materials allow water to run off and keep the inside of their structures dry.

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CCSS: Adaptable
NGSS: Adaptable
Instructional Ideas
  • Have participants build their own complete structures to examine how roof design plays a role in water runoff
  • Produce quantitative data by having groups build roofs for plastic bins, then measure the amount of water in the bin after testing
Classroom Considerations
  • Execute the project as a group activity for younger students and as an individual assignment for older ones
  • The build requires a large amount of consumable materials on hand for each structure, so stock up ahead of time
Pros
  • The wide array of materials available for the project gives learners insight into materials science
  • Directions are written clearly and easy to follow
  • Teacher's guide includes materials lists, assessment ideas, and discussion questions
Cons
  • None
Common Core