The Structures and Materials package offers student activities to investigate the science and technology behind the built environment. The equipment included enables students to explore beam designs and then perform destructive testing on them to analyze the properties of their materials and the performance of their design.

Typical practical activities include:

• Identify the forces that act on structures
• Investigate how skyscrapers are constructed
• Construct model beams from wood
• Use a computer model to design beams
• Explore the use of concrete as a construction material
• Construct a reinforced Plaster of Paris beam
• Research the use of concrete additives
• Identify examples of how sustainable materials can be used in construction
• Develop a composite material using recycled materials and test its properties
• Identify different styles of bridges
• Design and construct a model bridge
• Research bridge designs
• Test a model bridge