Stable Structures...or Not

Our class spent last week as architectural engineers. We sketched and built 3-D structures from 15 straws, 5 pipe cleaners, and 3 feet of tape. Our supplies were limited because in the real world engineers have a limited budget and they must know how to plan and build accurately (or else they might be out of a job!). 

Casey and John made their plan very detailed.

After drawing plans of what our 3-D structures would look like and how we would carefully use our allotted materials, we started building. Many groups tried to incorporate triangles into their designs but building with straws and pipe cleaners is more challenging than it looks! On Friday we were finally ready to test the strength of our structures with GRAM weights. Check out how they did when the weights came out:

Built by Jailyn and Brice
This 3-D trapezoid held a whopping 540 GRAMS!

Built by Ella S. and Savanna
This triangular prism held 140 grams.

Built by Ella D. and Grayson
This cube held 180 grams!

Built by Max and Liam
This cylinder held 220 grams.

Built by Ava and Sam
This "little guy" held 410 grams.