Objective
Using a limited amount of time, pipe cleaners, and straws, students compete to build the tallest structure.
Description
One of man's earliest goals was to build structures to provide height for many purposes. In this competition, students have a limited time to build the tallest structure using only pipe cleaners and straws.
Procedures
- Students should work in teams of two to facilitate teamwork and assembly of their structure.
- The structure must be built using only straws and pipe cleaners. For best results, be sure that a doubled pipe cleaner will fit snugly into the straw.
- Each team will have 200 straws and 100 pipe cleaners for the construction.
- The structure must be self-supporting. No touches or outside holding devices will be allowed once time has expired.
Continuation
- Increase or decrease the number of straws and pipe cleaners.
- Require the structure to support a lightweight ball (Ping-Pong ball, whiffle ball, practice golf ball, and so forth.)
- Allow a practice round or two before the actual competition.