Construction: Concepts + Keywords 

Concepts Related to Construction

If your class is interested in studying simple machines and you choose to facilitate a simple machineconstruction investigation, consider using any 3 or 4 concepts listed below. Choosing a limited number of concepts based on children's interests helps to narrow down the research required by teachers. It also helps teachers shape the investigation by diving deeper into the chosen content instead of feeling pressure to cover all concepts related to the topic. Choosing what's most relevant to the children in your class helps everyone get the most out of the investigation. 

BUILDING TOOLS + EQUIPMENT
TRUCKS + DIGGERS
COMMUNITY WORKERS
BUILDING MATERIALS
SAFETY + AWARENESS
​TEAMWORK

SIMPLE MACHINES (LEVERS, PULLEYS, SCREWS)
GRAVTY + FORCE +MOTION
COUNTING + MEASURING
COMMUNITY BUILDINGS
NATURE + CONSTRUCTION

BUILDING + ENGINEERING
PROBLEM SOLVING + PLANNING
HEAT TRANSFER 
ANIMAL HOMES/SHELTER
PROPERTIES OF MATERIALS
​ARCHITECTURE

Keywords

Tools and Materials:

1. Hammer: A tool used to strike or drive nails into objects.
2. Nail: A small metal spike with a flat, pointed head, used chiefly to fasten wood together.
3. Screw: A type of fastener characterized by a helical ridge or thread.
4. Screwdriver: A tool used for turning screws.
5. Brick: A small rectangular block typically made of fired or sun-dried clay, used in building.
6. Concrete: A mixture of cement, water, sand, and gravel that hardens into a strong building material.
7. Wood: The hard fibrous material that forms the main substance of the trunk or branches of a tree.
8. Crane: A large, tall machine used for lifting heavy objects by suspending them from a projecting arm or beam.
9. Excavator: A large machine with a bucket and rotating cab used for digging and moving earth.
10. Wheelbarrow: A small cart with one wheel and handles used for transporting materials.
11. Safety Helmet or Hard Hat: A protective helmet worn on construction sites to prevent head injuries.
12. Cement: A powder made of limestone and clay that, when mixed with water, forms the binder in concrete.
13. Beam: A long, sturdy piece of timber or metal used as a horizontal support in construction.
14. Pipe: A long hollow cylinder used to convey fluids or gases.
15. Tape Measure: A flexible ruler used for measuring length or distance.
16. Ladder: A vertical or inclined set of rungs or steps used to reach higher levels.
17. Drill: A tool with a rotating cutting or driving attachment used for making holes in various materials.
18. Gloves: Protective coverings for the hand used to shield against injury or dirt.
19. Safety Vest: A brightly colored vest worn to enhance visibility and safety on construction sites.
20. Barrel: A cylindrical container, typically bulging or narrowing toward the ends.
21. Scaffolding: A temporary structure erected around a building to provide support for workers and materials during construction, repair, or maintenance.
22. Hard Hat: A protective helmet worn on construction sites to prevent head injuries from falling objects or impacts.
23. Blueprints: Detailed technical drawings or plans that outline the specifications for construction projects.
24. Caulk: A waterproof filler and sealant used to close gaps or joints between building materials.
25. Paint: A liquid substance applied as a protective or decorative coating to surfaces.
26. Brush: A tool with bristles used for applying paint or other substances to surfaces.
27. Roller: A cylindrical tool with a handle used for applying paint evenly to large surfaces.
28. Trowel: A flat-bladed tool used for applying and smoothing plaster, mortar, or concrete.
29. Chisel: A metal tool with a sharp edge used for cutting, shaping, or carving hard materials such as wood, stone, or metal.
30. Saw: A cutting tool with a toothed blade used for cutting wood, metal, or other materials.
31. Wrench: A tool used for gripping, turning, or tightening nuts, bolts, or pipes.
32. Pliers: A hand tool with two hinged arms and serrated jaws used for gripping, bending, or cutting wires or other materials.
33. Level: A tool used to determine whether a surface is horizontal (level) or vertical (plumb) relative to the earth's surface.
34. Tape Measure: A flexible ruler used for measuring length or distance.
35. Goggles: Protective eyewear worn to shield the eyes from dust, debris, or hazardous materials.
36. Ear Protection: Devices worn to reduce the risk of hearing damage from loud noises or machinery.
37. Cement Mixer: A machine used to mix cement, sand, gravel, and water to prepare concrete.
38. Generator: A machine that converts mechanical energy into electrical energy for powering tools and equipment.
39. Laser Level: A tool that emits a laser beam to project a straight, level line onto surfaces for precise alignment.
40. Bolt Cutter: A tool with compound hinges and long handles used for cutting through bolts, chains, or wires.

​Construction Equipment:

1. Crane: A machine used for lifting and moving heavy objects by means of cables and pulleys.
2. Excavator: A large machine with a bucket and rotating cab used for digging and moving earth.
3. Bulldozer: A heavy-duty machine equipped with a wide metal blade used for pushing large quantities of soil, sand, rubble, etc.
4. Dump Truck: A truck with a large open container for transporting loose materials such as sand, gravel, or demolition waste.
5. Jackhammer: A pneumatic tool powered by compressed air used for breaking up concrete, rock, or pavement.
6. Level: A tool used to determine if a surface is horizontal (level) or vertical (plumb).
7. Crane: A machine equipped with a hoist, wire ropes, or chains used to lift and lower heavy objects or materials.
8. Excavator: A large hydraulic machine with a bucket and rotating cab used for digging, lifting, and moving earth or debris.
9. Bulldozer: A heavy-duty crawler tractor equipped with a broad, horizontal blade used for pushing or leveling large quantities of soil, sand, or rubble.
10. Dump Truck: A truck equipped with a hydraulically operated open-box bed for transporting loose materials such as sand, gravel, or demolition waste.
11. Jackhammer: A pneumatic or electric tool with a chisel-like tip used for breaking up concrete, rock, or pavement.
12. Compactor: A machine used to compress or compact soil, gravel, or other materials to increase density and stability.
13. Backhoe Loader: A versatile machine with a front bucket and rear digging arm used for digging, loading, and transporting materials.
14. Tower Crane: A tall, fixed crane typically used in the construction of tall buildings or structures.
15. Skid Steer Loader: A compact, four-wheel-drive machine with a front bucket or attachment plate used for digging, lifting, and moving materials in tight spaces.
16. Concrete Mixer Truck: A specialized vehicle with a rotating drum used to transport and mix concrete on construction sites.
17. Scissor Lift: A mobile aerial work platform with a platform that can be raised or lowered vertically to access elevated areas.
18. Asphalt Paver: A machine used to lay asphalt on roads, parking lots, or other paved surfaces.
19. Trencher: A machine equipped with a rotating chain or blade used for digging trenches for pipelines, cables, or drainage systems.
20. Crusher: A machine used to crush and recycle construction waste or demolished materials into usable aggregates.

Construction Professionals:

1. Builder: A person who constructs or repairs buildings and other structures.
2. Engineer: A person trained and skilled in the design, construction, and maintenance of infrastructure and machinery.
3. Architect: A person trained and licensed to plan, design, and oversee the construction of buildings.
4. Plumber: A tradesperson who specializes in installing and maintaining systems used for plumbing and drainage.
5. Electrician: A tradesperson who installs, repairs, and maintains electrical wiring and equipment.
6. Bricklayer: A skilled worker who lays bricks to construct brickwork.
7. Mason: A skilled craftsman who works with stone, brick, or concrete to build structures.
8. Crane Operator: A person trained to operate cranes safely and efficiently.
9. Site Supervisor: A person responsible for overseeing and coordinating construction activities on a job site.
10. ​Foreman: A skilled worker or supervisor who manages and directs a team of construction workers.
11. Surveyor: A person who measures and maps the land to determine property boundaries, elevations, and construction layouts.
12. Safety Officer: A trained professional responsible for ensuring compliance with safety regulations and practices on construction sites.
13. Estimator: A person who calculates the cost of materials, labor, and equipment for construction projects.
14. Quality Control Inspector: A person responsible for inspecting and evaluating the quality of workmanship and materials on construction projects.
15. Project Manager: A person responsible for planning, organizing, and coordinating all aspects of a construction project from inception to completion.
16. Landscaper: A person who designs and creates outdoor spaces, gardens, and landscapes for residential or commercial properties.
17. Interior Designer: A person who plans and designs the layout, furnishings, and decorations of interior spaces in buildings.
18. HVAC Technician: A skilled tradesperson who installs, maintains, and repairs heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems in buildings.
19. Painter: A skilled tradesperson who applies paint, stain, or other finishes to surfaces to enhance their appearance and protect them from damage.
20. Carpenter: A skilled tradesperson who works with wood to construct, install, or repair structures, fixtures, and furniture.

Construction Processes and Structures:

1. Build: To construct or assemble something by putting parts together.
2. Design: The process of creating a plan or drawing that shows what something will look like before it is made.
3. Structure: Something that has been built, such as a building, bridge, or tower.
4. Foundation: The lowest load-bearing part of a building that provides support and stability.
5. Measure: To ascertain the size, dimensions, or quantity of something using a measuring tool.
6. Blueprint: A detailed drawing or plan that shows how something will be constructed.
7. Construction Site: A location where construction work is being carried out.
8. Scaffolding: A temporary structure erected to support workers and materials during the construction, repair, or maintenance of buildings.
9. Roof: The upper covering of a building that provides protection from weather elements.
10. Wall: A continuous vertical brick or stone structure that encloses or divides an area.
11. Floor: The surface of a room on which one stands or walks.
12. Ceiling: The upper interior surface of a room or other enclosed space.
13. Window: An opening in a wall that allows light and air to enter a building.
14. Door: A movable barrier used to close off an entrance to a room, building, or vehicle.
15. Trench: A long, narrow excavation or depression in the ground typically used for burying utility lines or drainage pipes.
16. Footing: The widened part of a foundation that spreads and distributes the load of a structure over a larger area of soil.
17. Joist: A horizontal structural member used to support floors, ceilings, or roofs in a building.
18. Truss: A rigid framework of wooden or metal beams used to support the roof or upper floor of a building.
19. Framing: The process of constructing the structural framework of a building using wooden or metal studs, joists, and beams.
20. Sheathing: The covering or layer of boards, plywood, or panels applied to the exterior of a building's frame to provide structural support and weather resistance.
21. Insulation: Material used to reduce heat transfer or energy loss in a building by providing thermal resistance.
22. Drywall: A panel made of gypsum plaster pressed between two sheets of heavy paper, used to construct interior walls and ceilings.
23. Stucco: A durable plaster finish for exterior walls, typically made of cement, sand, and lime.
24. Rebar: Reinforcing steel bars or mesh used to strengthen concrete structures such as foundations, columns, and beams.
25. Expansion Joint: A flexible joint or gap in a structure designed to accommodate thermal expansion, contraction, or movement without causing damage.
26. Flashing: Thin strips of metal or other waterproof material installed around openings and intersections in a building to prevent water infiltration.
27. Gutter: A shallow trough or channel installed along the eaves of a roof to collect and channel rainwater away from the building.
28. Fascia: The horizontal band or board installed along the edge of a roof or the outer surface of a cornice.
29. Balustrade: A railing supported by balusters, typically used on balconies, staircases, or terraces for safety and decoration.
30. Footing: The widened part of a foundation that spreads and distributes the load of a structure over a larger area of soil.