Science in Toyland

Make It Work!




How long a bridge can you build? How strong can you make it? Build bridges with basic structual series of different shapes to see how stable they are.

How tall a crane can you build? How strong can you make it? Build cranes with basic structural units of different shapes to see how stable they are.

Rods and hubs can be assembled to make different shapes. Which one is stronger?

Triangles are stronger than squares because forces applied by a load are equally distributed. Triangles can be combined to make trusses that are used in a variety of structures like bridges, cranes and roofs.
Toys such as Erector Sets, as well as housefold items such as straws, toothpicks and popsicle sticks can be used to experiment with different structures.
Science in Toyland was created by the California Museum of Science and Industry, with support from members of the Science Museum Exhibit Collaborative.
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Revised on September 1, 1996 by mcb