180 likes | 184 Views
Mystery Architecture. The event where you don’t know what you are doing, and that is kind of the point. Event Description. At the beginning of the event, each team will receive an identical bag of materials. They will have 40 minutes to build a structure/device that can be tested
E N D
Mystery Architecture The event where you don’t know what you are doing, and that is kind of the point.
Event Description • At the beginning of the event, each team will receive an identical bag of materials. • They will have 40 minutes to build a structure/device that can be tested • The materials and structure will not be announced until the competition starts
Mystery Architecture Rules • The team can only use the materials that were given to them by the judges • There are two scoring dimensions • Primary: The main measurement that determines the winner • Secondary: The measurement used to break ties
Mystery Architecture Rules • Students may bring: • 1 pair of scissors • 1 ruler • 1 pair of pliers • Nothing else will be allowed
Common Types of Structures • Bridges • Towers • Cantilevers
Common Types of Structures • Longest/tallest • Longest/tallest to hold a certain load • At least a certain height/length that can hold the most
How to Coach • This event is hard to coach, because it is hard to teach students to think outside the box • You can teach them: • Good engineering principles • Good building techniques • How to work together (to an extent) • Learning to think creatively requires practice and lots of it
Types of Forces: Tension • Tension : the member is being “pulled” on
Types of Forces: Tension • Good Tension materials: • Straws • String • Pipe cleaner (wire) • Paperclips • Paper
Good Compression Materials: • Straws • Toothpicks • Popsicle sticks • Cups • Rolled up paper
Good Engineering: TowersLoad Bearing Load Platform Legs Cross Bracing
Cantilever Counter Balance Load Applied Here Table
Examples Good: • Doubled up straws for legs • Triangles for bracing Bad: • Not level
Examples Good: • Very level • Triangles for bracing Bad: • Legs are single straws instead of double
Examples Good: • Very level • Triangles for bracing • Multi-strawed legs Bad: • Added extra materials just to use them
Tips • Conserve materials in case you have to reuse something • Cut tape in half • Unravel string • Bring good tools (especially scissors) • Practice, practice, practice • Practice with different materials • Save straw wrappers