Back to list
A Genius Idea
A Genius Idea: Safety at the circus
- Secondary 1
- Secondary 2
- Secondary 3
- Secondary 4
- Secondary 5
15–60 minutes
An engineering challenge in which students design and test a prototype capable of supporting a tightrope walker on a wire. The activity explores the principles of balance, centre of gravity, and forces through an engineering-inspired design process.
Physical principles covered
- Centre of gravity
- Equilibrium of forces
- Gravity
- Symmetry
- Properties of materials
- Transformation of energy
Required Materials
- Wire or rope strung between two supports
- Scissors
- Scale
- Pencils
- Straws
- Craft sticks
- Cardboard
- Bottles or corks
- Blue adhesive putty
- Elastics
- Clips
- Pipe cleaners
- Figurines
- Small weights or hex nuts
- Various materials for the prototype
Concepts from the Québec Education Program
Science and Technology – The technological world:
- Design of technical objects
- Effects of forces
- Properties of materials
- Competency 1: Seeks answers or solutions to scientific or technological problems