Manila Folder Bridge Challenge!

We were to build a bridge over a 22" gap and support as many magazines as possible without the bridge collapsing, while also fitting within the following constraints!


Constraints:Part 1

• Materials:
• 2 "letter size" Manilla folders
• 2' of masking tape (may not use any piece longer than 6")
• Weighing:
• Magazines will be used as "weights"
• Your "score" for our competition is determined by how many magazines your structure supports!
• Magazines will be added to your structure one at a time until "failure" is achieved.
• You may place magazines anywhere on your structure as long as:
• All magazines must rest between the two vertical edges of the gap your bridge is spanning (magazines must be over the "gap").
• No magazines may touch the tables (magazines may not be piled up to "self support" themselves).

Our first bridge:

This one was not too successful when I tried it again because it was worn out from our first few tries! It also did not span the 22" distance. So I attempted again:

This one was nearly successful! It was however to weak to hold ANY magazines. This is most likely because after further analyzing my criteria, the distance was not 22" but in fact 18"!! Oops!

This will teach me to read more carefully in order to be successful!

4th Annual Mousetrap-Racecar Races!

 We were given a set criteria and constraints permitted for my team of three to create a race car powered by a mousetrap!

 we were told:

Criteria:
Design, build and compete with a Mousetrap Racecar (A "car" uses at least two axles).
Maintain a clean workspace.

Constraints:
One mousetrap
No more than 12" of masking tape
Fischertechnique robotics parts
No more than 24" of string
All materials used must travel with your vehicle
You must work through the stages of the event (see Achievements below)
Additional materials by Instructor approval

ok...tough...

BUT, we did it and I am claiming 8 achievements!!

1. "Build It"-

2. "The Price of Glory"- $2 for the 2 axles, $1 for the mousetrap, $1 for 12" of tape, $1 for all 24" of string, $4 for all wheels, $4 for 4 bearings, for a total of $13

3./4. "Long Distance Winner!"- We tied for the longest distance with one other team!!!!

        "Going the Mile!"

5."Game Changer"- I think making the game so that you have to also move something from one point to another would create a whole new breed of ideas and creativity!

6."Name it"- "The Participant"- how much did you participate and are there witnesses or proof?

7."Leave It Cleaner Than You Found It"- We cleaned up all our messes and I for one made sure I also picked up some screws and stray string that fell on the ground.

8. "Design/Build"- It was similar in the design/build challenge in that we all had to make suggestions and constantly try them out until we came up with a product that worked! Trying and failing and trying again  is essential in any king of innovative career because theres no way to get something perfectly the first time!

Marble Drop challenge!

 •Goal!!!!- To create a system using only the force of gravity to propel a single marble into a cup as far away from the starting point as possible.

   •Materials!!!!- We were allowed to use 1 marble of our choosing, 14 drinking straws, 10 wooden toothpicks, and 3 paper cups.

so we created a simple tape ramp with straws on the side for a barrier

We then chose a marble of a heavier weight so that it could stay true on the path!

We won the challenge! We got about 18 floor tiles from our starting point directly into the cup first try!!!