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

Compression : the member is being “squished”

Good Compression Materials: Straws Toothpicks Popsicle sticks Cups Rolled up paper

Good Engineering: Towers Load Bearing Load Platform Legs Cross Bracing

Bridges

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