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Mystery Architecture

In this event, teams receive a bag of materials and must build a structure within 40 minutes. The materials and structure are only revealed at the start. Primary and secondary scoring dimensions determine the winner. Learn good engineering principles and building techniques to think creatively. Explore tension and compression forces. Build towers, bridges, and cantilevers. Practice and conserve materials for success.

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Mystery Architecture

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  1. Mystery Architecture The event where you don’t know what you are doing, and that is kind of the point.

  2. 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

  3. 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

  4. Mystery Architecture Rules • Students may bring: • 1 pair of scissors • 1 ruler • 1 pair of pliers • Nothing else will be allowed

  5. Common Types of Structures • Bridges • Towers • Cantilevers

  6. Common Types of Structures • Longest/tallest • Longest/tallest to hold a certain load • At least a certain height/length that can hold the most

  7. 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

  8. Types of Forces: Tension • Tension : the member is being “pulled” on

  9. Types of Forces: Tension • Good Tension materials: • Straws • String • Pipe cleaner (wire) • Paperclips • Paper

  10. Compression: the member is being “squished”

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

  12. Good Engineering: TowersLoad Bearing Load Platform Legs Cross Bracing

  13. Bridges

  14. Cantilever Counter Balance Load Applied Here Table

  15. Examples • Good: • Doubled up straws for legs • Triangles for bracing • Bad: • Not level

  16. Examples • Good: • Very level • Triangles for bracing • Bad: • Legs are single straws instead of double

  17. Examples • Good: • Very level • Triangles for bracing • Multi-strawed legs • Bad: • Added extra materials just to use them

  18. 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

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