Not all rooves are created equal!

As mentioned in another blog entry, the students had been very interested in creating ramps, and then posed questions as to why rooves  were built flat as opposed to slanted or angled. One student decided to put his ideas to the test, creating 2 model houses with different roof types, one flat, and one peaked. He worked on these over several days. Upon completion of the 2 homes, he tested them today by pouring snow over each roof. Before doing so, we discussed with the entire class what we thought might happen. Some interesting information was discussed. 

Some students had noticed that he put on wax paper on his roof and he described that he needed to do so so that his cardboard roof would not get "mushy".

Another student explained that on the flat roof, when the snow melted into water, it could find it's way through the roof in tiny, teeny holes, and make the roof leak-just has happened in our gym!

Another student mentioned that although his roof was "slanted", his dad still had to go up and shovel it off, and he wondered why?  They listened to one another, and agreed that maybe it was because his roof was bumpy and not smooth!

What a valuable lesson in building, ramps and engineering!!

We may show our findings to our custodian!!!