Sand Structures

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In this activity, learners investigate how the properties of individual ingredients can affect the properties of a mixture. Learners make small sand towers using dry sand and sand mixed with water, hand sanitizer, or vegetable oil, then compare how the mixtures behave as they are molded into structures. After making predictions, learners test the strength of each sand tower by adding pennies until it collapses.

Quick Guide

Preparation Time:
5 to 10 minutes
Learning Time:
45 to 60 minutes
Estimated Materials Cost:
$10 - $20 per group of students
Age Range:
Ages 8 - adult
Resource Type:
Activity
Language:
English

Materials List (per group of students)

  • Permanent marker
  • 3 index cards, cut in ha
  • 1/3 cup water
  • 1/3 cup hand sanitizer
  • 1/3 cup vegetable oil
  • 4 cups of sand
  • 100 pennies (one $1 roll)
  • Data sheet (found on PDF)

Keywords

Subjects

  • Physical Sciences
    • Structure and Properties of Matter
    • States of Matter
      • Liquids
      • Solids
  • The Nature of Science
    • The Scientific Process
      • Conducting Investigations
  • Engineering and Technology
    • Engineering
      • Metallurgy and Materials Engineering

Informal Categories

  • Model Building

Audience

To use this activity, learners need to:

  • see

Culture, ethnicity, and gender

Other

Components that are part of this resource:

Includes alignment to state and/or national standards:

This resource is part of:

Access Rights:

  • Free access

By:

  • Penn State University; Penn State University; The Franklin Institute

Rights:

  • All rights reserved, Penn State University, 2021

Funding Source:

  • National Science Foundation, DMR-2011839

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