|
Published: June 06, 2008 10:17 pm
BARKER SCHOOLS: Learning by design
By Joe Olenick
E-mail Joe
Lockport Union-Sun & Journal
BARKER — Two large geodesic domes greeted everyone entering Barker High School last week.
The structures were standing outside the high school entrance. Both were built by students in teacher Tom Mallon’s architectural computer aided drawing classes and funded by a grant from the Orleans/Niagara Teacher Center.
A geodesic dome is a spherical structure comprised of a network of circles that intersect to form triangular elements. The elements distribute any stress across the entire structure. It is the only man made structure that becomes proportionally stronger as it increases in size. The Barker domes proved that to be true, as both classes that worked on them climbed on top of the domes Friday without a problem.
It was a lot of work, but putting them together wasn’t what took the most time.
“The largest amount of work was before we put them together,” Mallon said.
First, they had to use some math and a little physics to make all of the necessary calculations needed. Then they could order the thin walled steel pipe, or conduit, the domes are made of. Between the two domes there are 330 pieces of conduit, 660 bolt holes, 220 ten degree bends and 440 bends of 12 degrees.
Next came the manufacturing and the assembling of the parts. All of the metalworking was done in just under two weeks, with the assembly of the first dome taking three days or six class periods. The second dome was assembled in one day, or two class periods. The students worked on the domes for a total of three weeks during class periods. The domes can be carried by as few as six kids.
Building a geodesic dome can be a fairly difficult applied math problem. Students were given the task of calculating how big a dome could be built for less than $500, given the fact that the conduit cost $6.94 per 10' piece. The students themselves were proud of it, and despite the work it took, said they would do it again for sure.
“It was sweet to create something and put it together,” said Randy Hildebrant.
Plus working on a project like this cuts down on class time.
“It beats sitting in the computer lab,” said Marty Shaft.
One student even put the Barker dome on a Wikipedia page about geodesic domes, but it was removed shortly after.
The domes can be taken apart, moved anywhere and be put back together now like a kit. Mallon said the students would be moving them Tuesday.
Contact reporter Joe Olenickat 439-9222, ext. 6241.
|
|
|
|
 |
Customer Service
Niagara Orleans Country Club is looking for part time help through October in club house. Some weekends required. Apply ...>MORE
Siding Installer
SIDING Installer, light construction. Pay based on exp. Will train. Must have transp. 434-3430...>MORE
Spanish Teacher
SPANISH Teacher-F/T, Exp., NYS Cert. Send resume to khalgash@ wny.twcbc.com or St. Peter RC School 140 N. 6th St., Lewis...>MORE
Store Manager
STORE MANAGER - Looking for individual with strong leadership and customer service skills to run convenience store in Lo...>MORE
Sales Support
20 yr old industry leader, is expanding thru-out USA. Sales support position in our N. Falls, NY office. Salary, 8:30-5...>MORE
Truck Drivers
LOCAL DRIVERS
NEEDED
is looking for drivers for our Batavia NY operation
‚ $750 singles average
...>MORE
Housekeeping Aide
Housekeeping Aide. Day shift. Must be able to work a flexible schedule to include some week-ends and holidays. Dependabl...>MORE
Bartender / Cook
BARTENDER/COOK
Part Time. No experience necessary. Call 438-1460 from 1-8pm...>MORE
Senior Resident Counselor
SENIOR RESIDENT COUNSELOR: Responsible for the Case Management and Rehabilitation Planning for a caseload of residents i...>MORE
Occupational Therapist
OCCUPATIONAL THERAPIST. Full-time day position. NYS license and registration required. Send resume or apply: Employment ...>MORE
See all ads |
Olds 2001 Intrigue
Olds 2001 Intrigue, 130k runs great, leather, sun roof clean inside/out. $3000or BO. 628-6295...>MORE
1994 Buick Roadmaster Estate Wagon
BUICK 1994 Roadmaster Estate Wagon, V8, 130k, fair condition, 1 owner. $2800 or BO. 297-1061....>MORE
1994 Pontiac Sunbird
PONTIAC 1994 Sunbird conv. V6, EC in & out, red w/blk top, wht int., CD, real sharp. $2850. 523-7102...>MORE
Chevrolet 2002 Cavalier
CHEVROLET 2002 CAVALIER with 80,00 miles. Must see! Well maintained! Silver ext., Gray int., 2DR, Automatic, Fro...>MORE
1950 Plymouth Custom
PLYMOUTH 1950 Custom, 4 dr, good shape, $1,500/BO. 795-0074...>MORE
2000 Chevy S-10
CHEVY 2000 S-10 pick up, 2.2L, 5 spd, ext cab, EC in & out, CD, cold AC, great gas mi. $2750. 523-7102...>MORE
Dodge 1996 Grand Caravan
Niagara Falls
2753 NIAGARA ST.
FRI. SAT.
9AM-4PM
oriental rug, old tools, antique car parts, toys, ...>MORE
Pontiac 2004 Grand prix GT
PONTIAC 2004 Grand Prix GT 4 door, good cond, $8000, 998-5596...>MORE
1990 Chevy 2500
1990 CHEVY 2500 pick up, fresh paint, 160k mi, good runner, 4WD, ext cab, $2500, 716-572-9153...>MORE
Ford 1999 150
FORD 1999 150 pickup, good cond., tool box, bedliner, standard, $2500 or BO. 523-3653...>MORE
See all ads |
|
See all ads |
|
 |
|
Print this story
E-mail this story
