Scale Models *
*Note: This is an abbreviated Project Idea, without notes to start your background research, a specific list of materials, or a procedure for how to do the experiment. You can identify abbreviated Project Ideas by the asterisk at the end of the title. If you want a Project Idea with full instructions, please pick one without an asterisk.
Abstract
Many industries rely on scale models to develop new products and designs. Architects, industrial designers, artists, clothing designers, and car manufacturers all use scale models. Each model is built to a scale that relates the actual object to the model through a ratio. Can you determine a formula for constructing a scale model? You can use your formula to make a model of your house, school, neighborhood, or town (CUBE, 2002). You can make scale models of the Wright Brothers aircraft designs from 1900-1903. (Storm and Benson, 2003) You can also do the opposite, blow a model up into a life size object. Can you determine a formula to convert a model into life size? You can use your formula to evaluate if a model is realistic. Try comparing toy cars, dolls, dinosaurs, or action figures to life size objects. Are the models realistic? (McCoy, 2004; Fassett and Millbyer, 2006)Share your story with Science Buddies!
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Last edit date: 2013-01-10
Bibliography
- CUBE, 2002. "CUBE Lesson Plans," The Center for Understanding the Built Environment (CUBE). [accessed: 5/1/06] http://www.cubekc.org/lessons.html
- Fassett, C. and Millbyer, L. 2006. "Dinosaur Activity for Proportions," Oswego City School District Regents Exam Prep Center. [accessed: 5/1/06] http://regentsprep.org/Regents/math/scale/Tdino.htm
- McCoy, L. P., 2004. "Project Potpourri: Implementing Standards-Based Instruction," Wake Forest University. [accessed: 5/1/06] http://www.wfu.edu/~mccoy/mprojects.pdf
- Storm, R., and Benson, T. 2003. "Models of the Wright Brothers' Aircraft (1900-1903)," Glenn Research Center (GRC), National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). [accessed: 5/1/06] http://wright.nasa.gov/ROGER/models.htm
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