Structures
Description: The purpose of this event is to test studentsʼ ability to build a strong, stable, tall and reproducible tower utilizing soda straws and T-pins. The objective of this competition is to see how much weight the completed tower can hold before collapsing.
Participants: 2
Time: 30 Minutes
**All materials will be provided at event site. No notes or measuring tools will be allowed.**
Construction Rules:
Each Team will be given: corrugated cardboard, scissors, fifty(50) Smart and Final jumbo 7 ¾” unwrapped straws and 30 medium (1½”) T-pins. No other building materials will be used.
Using the cardboard building platform, the team is to construct a standing tower at least 50 cm tall that is capable of holding as much weight as possible. There should be a flat area on top of the tower no smaller than 10 cm square to hold a tag board loading platform and plastic bowl.
Weights (pinto beans) will be loaded into the plastic bowl. The Plastic straws may be cut or shaped in any way.
When the tower is completed, the team will place a loading tag board and plastic bowl on top of the tower. The eventʼs organizer will load the bowl quickly and as carefully as possible with the weights. When the tower can no longer hold the weight or the bowl falls off, the loading will stop and the weights will be weighed on an electronic scale. Spectators will be allowed to watch, but no outside help will be allowed during the event.
Teams may pick up their towers after the competitions.
Scoring:
One point will be awarded for each gram of weight placed on and supported by the tower. This will include the weight of the plastic bowl.
Tie Breaker:
In the event that two or more towers tie in the amount of weight held, the tallest of the towers will be declared the winner.
Reminder:
The minimum height of the tower is 50 cm and there must be a flat area to serve as the loading platform on top. Your team will have only 30 minutes to plan, build and test their tower before loading and weighting of weights takes place.
*NOTE: Last year, some of the rules were changed. An additional element of being able to estimate the weight was added. We will need to check at the Events Fair whether there is updated information.
Mrs. Allard’s Suggestions:
Triangles are the strongest shape. Use triangles in your building.
The base to your structure should be wider than the top.
The top of your structure needs to have a flat support that will hold a plate/bowl evenly.
Practice several models, find one that seems to work well, then practice how to build that model even better/stronger.
Remember, the goal is to hold the heaviest load…not necessarily the prettiest tower.
Here are some links:
Straw Shapes Activity
Straw Tower
Zoom Straw Tower
Elementary Science Field Day
Structures
Description: The purpose of this event is to test studentsʼ ability to build a strong, stable, tall and
reproducible tower utilizing soda straws and T-pins. The objective of this competition is
to see how much weight the completed tower can hold before collapsing.
Participants: 2
Time: 30 Minutes
**All materials will be provided at event site. No notes or measuring tools will be allowed.**
Construction Rules:
Each Team will be given: corrugated cardboard, scissors, fifty(50) Smart and Final jumbo 7 ¾”
unwrapped straws and 30 medium (1½”) T-pins. No other building materials will be used.
Using the cardboard building platform, the team is to construct a standing tower at least 50 cm
tall that is capable of holding as much weight as possible. There should be a flat area on top of
the tower no smaller than 10 cm square to hold a tag board loading platform and plastic bowl.
Weights (pinto beans) will be loaded into the plastic bowl. The Plastic straws may be cut or
shaped in any way.
When the tower is completed, the team will place a loading tag board and plastic bowl on top
of the tower. The eventʼs organizer will load the bowl quickly and as carefully as possible with
the weights. When the tower can no longer hold the weight or the bowl falls off, the loading will
stop and the weights will be weighed on an electronic scale. Spectators will be allowed to
watch, but no outside help will be allowed during the event.
Teams may pick up their towers after the competitions.
Scoring:
One point will be awarded for each gram of weight placed on and supported by the tower. This
will include the weight of the plastic bowl.
Tie Breaker:
In the event that two or more towers tie in the amount of weight held, the tallest of the towers
will be declared the winner.
Reminder:
The minimum height of the tower is 50 cm and there must be a flat area to serve as the loading
platform on top. Your team will have only 30 minutes to plan, build and test their tower before loading
and weighting of weights takes place.Elementary Science Field Day
Structures
Description: The purpose of this event is to test studentsʼ ability to build a strong, stable, tall and
reproducible tower utilizing soda straws and T-pins. The objective of this competition is
to see how much weight the completed tower can hold before collapsing.
Participants: 2
Time: 30 Minutes
**All materials will be provided at event site. No notes or measuring tools will be allowed.**
Construction Rules:
Each Team will be given: corrugated cardboard, scissors, fifty(50) Smart and Final jumbo 7 ¾”
unwrapped straws and 30 medium (1½”) T-pins. No other building materials will be used.
Using the cardboard building platform, the team is to construct a standing tower at least 50 cm
tall that is capable of holding as much weight as possible. There should be a flat area on top of
the tower no smaller than 10 cm square to hold a tag board loading platform and plastic bowl.
Weights (pinto beans) will be loaded into the plastic bowl. The Plastic straws may be cut or
shaped in any way.
When the tower is completed, the team will place a loading tag board and plastic bowl on top
of the tower. The eventʼs organizer will load the bowl quickly and as carefully as possible with
the weights. When the tower can no longer hold the weight or the bowl falls off, the loading will
stop and the weights will be weighed on an electronic scale. Spectators will be allowed to
watch, but no outside help will be allowed during the event.
Teams may pick up their towers after the competitions.
Scoring:
One point will be awarded for each gram of weight placed on and supported by the tower. This
will include the weight of the plastic bowl.
Tie Breaker:
In the event that two or more towers tie in the amount of weight held, the tallest of the towers
will be declared the winner.
Reminder:
The minimum height of the tower is 50 cm and there must be a flat area to serve as the loading
platform on top. Your team will have only 30 minutes to plan, build and test their tower before loading
and weighting of weights takes place.
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