Look around you — buildings, bridges, and towers come in all shapes and sizes, but what keeps them standing tall? The secret is in their shapes! Engineers use 3D shapes such as cubes, pyramids, and prisms to make structures strong and stable. Among these, triangles are the real heroes. When force is applied, a triangle spreads the weight evenly along its sides, making it much harder to bend or collapse. That’s why you’ll often spot triangles in bridges, roof frames, towers, and even playground climbing nets!
Try it!
Use straws, toothpicks, or rolled-up paper to build two towers — one made of squares and one made of triangles. Gently press down on the top of each tower. Which one stays steady longer, and why doesn’t it collapse easily?
By exploring and testing different shapes, you’ll discover how geometry helps engineers design strong, safe, and sturdy structures everywhere!