Supporting Act
Your challenge is to build a bridge between the two blocks and use it to support scoring items.
Time:
You will have 8 minutes to solve the problem. The judge will warn you when 2 minutes and when 1 minute remains.
You are allowed to ask the judges questions and talk to each
other at any time.
Supplies:
Bridge Supports
Two 6” long 2” x 4” blocks.
Scoring items, each labeled with point values
5 quarters – 1 point
5 ping pong balls – 2 points
1 5oz paper cup - 3 points
2 1” x 1” blocks – 4 points
1 spatula - 7 points
1 Small stuffed animal – 10 points.
Building materials
2 pieces of masking tape, 8" long
2 paper napkins
3 rubber bands
3 paper clips
5 cotton swabs
1 envelope
2 plastic straws
2 plastic spoons
2 pipe cleaners
10 toothpicks
2 pieces of string, 6"
1 sheet paper, 8.5" x 11"
2 unsharpened pencils (labeled with a sticker).
Set-up:
Place the two 6” long 2” x 4” blocks on a work table.
On the same table, place the scoring items that are labeled with point values
On a second table, place the building materials:
Masking tape, paper napkins, rubber bands, paper clips, cotton swabs, envelope, plastic straws, plastic spoons, pipe cleaners, toothpicks, pieces of string, sheet of paper, unsharpened pencils*
Rules:
There is a table with two blocks and bridge materials for you to use to solve the problem (point to both).
Nothing else can be used and you may not damage anything marked with a label.
Your challenge is to build a bridge between the two blocks and use it to support scoring items (point).
You are allowed to move the blocks, but they must rest on the table when adding items for score. The bridge is not allowed to be supported by anything but the blocks.
When placing scoring items on the bridge, nothing else can support the items except the span of the bridge or other scoring items.
Competition is over when time ends, you have placed all of the scoring items, or when you tell the judges you want to be scored.
Scoring:
You will be scored as follows:
(a) You will receive 1 point for each inch between the blocks connected by the bridge.
(b) You will receive the point value of every scoring item supported by the bridge.
(c) You will receive 2 to 10 points for the creativity of your solution.
(d) You will receive 3 to 15 points for how well your team works together.
Debriefing:
Were team member tasks and responsibilities sorted out clearly?Would it have been better to focus on length of the bridge or point value of items held?
Did the team analyze weight/point value trade off?
How could the team have made the bridge stronger or more able to hold weight
Did the team use materials effectively?
Did the team manage time well?
What would the team do differently if they did it again?
Repeat the task with different technique, design and/or item placement strategy.