HurrHouse

Building a Hurricane Proof House

Students:
Recently, we had Hurricane Earl and Georges come through the Gulf
Coast and damage a significant number of homes. Building homes that could
better withstand the winds from hurricanes will be a consideration in all
future housing starts. You will be building a home in the future, possibly
on the Gulf Coast. Your task is to design and build the most wind resistant
building you can construct, using the materials provided. Your home must
include at least 1500 cubic centimeters. It can be any shape. Good luck!

Mrs. McQuone

Materials

Two sheets of construction paper will be used for the main construction.

(You may purchase an extra paper for 5 points to be deducted from your

final grade)

Four straws, glue stick and .6 meter cellophane tape will be provided. A

styrofoam tray (turned upside down) will be used for the base only.

Day 1:

Each team will design and construct it together.

List the science principles and construction ideas involved in designing your Hurricane Proof House on the back of this sheet. (Look up terms like force, air resistance, energy, etc. and write the definitions.) On the Internet, study the document "Against the Wind" and apply the building principles to your house.[ http://www.fema.gov/library/ Pick Preparedness and Training Room. Then pick "Against the Wind"]

Day 2-3:

Building your Hurricane Proof House

Build House.

Draw the top and side view of your house.

Calculate the volume:

Formula for volume for a rectangular solid or cylinder is area of base x height

Formula for any cone or pyramid shape is 1/3 the volume of original shape.

Formula for a sphere is 4/3 x pi x r3 (pi - 22/7)

Day 4

Grade: SAFETY -AT ANY TIME, UNSAFE BEHAVIOR WILL RESULT IN YOUR BEING FIRED FROM THE CONSTRUCTION TEAM. (GRADE = 0%)

You may only use materials provided.

10 points Neatness

10 points Use of materials: effective use of materials. Use as much as possible with

no waste.

20 points Design: includes

1) top view drawing (with actual dimensions),

2) side view drawing (with actual dimensions),

3) a list and description of the the science principles you used in the design of

your house

20 points Correct calculation of volume (Minimum of 1500 cubic cm.)

20 points How it withstands the "wind"

20 points Cooperation of the construction team: from the designing stage to building

to hurricane occurrence, all team members will cooperate with each other. Each will do his/her part to make the building a success.

5 bonus points for the team whose house withstands the MOST wind

Testing

To test the houses, a leaf blower will be turned on about 10 feet away from the home (a tropical storm), then up close (a category 1 hurricane). A wind gauge will determine the actual speed of the wind. Then the nozzle is added that directs all the air on the home. The students holds the house with arms extended and turns the house around 360 degrees slowly. This is done because hurricanes eventually hit every side of each home it passes over.

Create a Hurricane Disaster Plan

Materials	Two sheets of construction paper will be used for the main construction. (You may purchase an extra paper for 5 points to be deducted from your final grade) Four straws, glue stick and .6 meter cellophane tape will be provided. A styrofoam tray (turned upside down) will be used for the base only.
Day 1:	Each team will design and construct it together. List the science principles and construction ideas involved in designing your Hurricane Proof House on the back of this sheet. (Look up terms like force, air resistance, energy, etc. and write the definitions.) On the Internet, study the document "Against the Wind" and apply the building principles to your house.[ http://www.fema.gov/library/ Pick Preparedness and Training Room. Then pick "Against the Wind"]
Day 2-3:	Building your Hurricane Proof House Build House. Draw the top and side view of your house. Calculate the volume: Formula for volume for a rectangular solid or cylinder is area of base x height Formula for any cone or pyramid shape is 1/3 the volume of original shape. Formula for a sphere is 4/3 x pi x r3 (pi - 22/7)
Day 4	Grade: SAFETY -AT ANY TIME, UNSAFE BEHAVIOR WILL RESULT IN YOUR BEING FIRED FROM THE CONSTRUCTION TEAM. (GRADE = 0%) You may only use materials provided. 10 points Neatness 10 points Use of materials: effective use of materials. Use as much as possible with no waste. 20 points Design: includes 1) top view drawing (with actual dimensions), 2) side view drawing (with actual dimensions), 3) a list and description of the the science principles you used in the design of your house 20 points Correct calculation of volume (Minimum of 1500 cubic cm.) 20 points How it withstands the "wind" 20 points Cooperation of the construction team: from the designing stage to building to hurricane occurrence, all team members will cooperate with each other. Each will do his/her part to make the building a success. 5 bonus points for the team whose house withstands the MOST wind
Testing	To test the houses, a leaf blower will be turned on about 10 feet away from the home (a tropical storm), then up close (a category 1 hurricane). A wind gauge will determine the actual speed of the wind. Then the nozzle is added that directs all the air on the home. The students holds the house with arms extended and turns the house around 360 degrees slowly. This is done because hurricanes eventually hit every side of each home it passes over.
	Create a Hurricane Disaster Plan