What is a structure? - KS1

Types of structure

A structure is a 3D shape made from different materials and parts.

Structures are designed and made to be strong, stable and sturdy.

This means that they will not break or fall over easily.

There are two main types of structures:

Find out about the difference between frame structures and shell structures.

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A frame structure is made of different parts joined together.

The builder must choose the right materials and join them in the right way.

Here are some examples of frame structures you might have heard of.

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Climbing frame
This climbing frame is a frame structure made of pieces of wood joined together.
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Eiffel Tower
The Eiffel Tower is a big frame structure made of iron plates and beams joined together.
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Skeleton
A skeleton is a frame structure made of bones joined together.

A shell structure has an outer layer and is hollow. Its outside layer is thin and curved.

It has little or no joins where the different parts of the structure are connected together.

Usually, shell structures are built to protect and hold things inside them.

Here are some examples of shell structures you might have heard of.

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Igloo
An igloo is a shell structure. It has a thin, curved outer layer of ice and a hollow centre.
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Goldfish bowl
A goldfish bowl is a shell structure. It has a thin, curved outer layer of glass.
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Egg
An egg is a shell structure. The thin, curved shell forms a protective layer around the egg inside.

3D shape	A solid shape that has a length, width, and height. It is not flat.
Frame structure	A frame structure is made of different strong parts joined together.
Hollow	Something that has an empty space inside.
Shell structure	A shell structure is thin, curved and has little or no joins.
Stable	Something that is not likely to give way, fall over and is firmly fixed.

See if you can spot the shell structures and frame structures in this activity.