The first set of Push Me Pull Me models were intended to be a sort of gym for developing a very specific skill: the ability to predict how certain structures would behave when loaded in different ways. This area of Workshed is designed to allow a more thorough exploration of particular structural forms and concepts.
When we first launched the game Catastrophe, it gave lecturers the opportunity for the first time to draw their own simple Push Me Pull Me models and to use them to explore particular areas of interest with students. So struck were we by this inventiveness that we are working to turn these DIY models into examples that others can use.
We are now collaborating with lecturers at a number of universities to create a series of ‘Lessons’ – in depth explorations of specific engineering concepts. Each Lesson is based on a Push Me Pull Me model, but is accompanied by a range of other media such as video, images, text and links to external resources. If you would like to collaborate with us to create a Lesson then please get in touch with us.
PUSH ME PULL ME WORKSHEETS
This set of teaching resources support the teaching of basic structural mechanics using Push-Me-Pull-Me. The resources comprise a series of mini tutorials that offer a brief explanation of a structural mechanics concept and then ask students to use this knowledge to answer a series of questions using the Push Me Pull Me models on Workshed.
These worksheets accompany the Push Me Pull Me models and explain some basic principles of structural engineering. Each link opens a PDF file in a new window:
- Guide to the Sign Conventions Used in the Push Me Pull Me Models (760 KB)
- Worksheet 1: Line Modelling of real structures (457 KB)
- Worksheet 2: Deflection of Beams (605 KB)
- Worksheet 3: Deflection of Two Dimensional Frames (1.5 MB)
- Worksheet 4: Relationship Between Load and Reactions (668 KB)
- Worksheet 5: Reactions & Shear Force Diagrams (741 KB)
- Worksheet 6: Bending Moments & Shear Force (273 KB)
- Worksheet 7: Deflected Shape & Bending Moments (898 KB)
The first tutorial provides an introduction to creating line models of structures. The next two tutorials focus on kinematics, showing students how simple structures deflect under lateral loads. The subsequent tutorials focus on statics, leading students through concepts such as reactions, shear force diagrams and bending moment diagrams. The final tutorial brings kinematics and statics together, asking students to derive bending moments from the deflected shape of the structure. An additional worksheet provides students with information about sign conventions.
The suite also contains guidance notes for lecturers, including suggestions for lesson plans and peer-to-peer learning.
The resources were developed with funding from the HE-STEM programme and were written by Stylianos Yiatros (Brunel University) with support from Lawrence Coates (University of East Anglia) and Iain MacLeod at the University of Strathclyde.
