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Summary
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Abstract
Start with 7 drinking straws and 14 paper clips. Use the paper clips to fasten the straws together. Here's how: 1) Clip two paper clips together, narrow end to narrow end. 2) Push the wide ends of each clip into the end of a straw. That's it! Connect four straws to make a square, and three straws to make a triangle. Now test which shape is stronger. Hold the shapes vertically, with an edge or a vertex resting on the tabletop. Have a helper push on the opposite side or vertex. Which shape distorts more easily? How can you strengthen it? (Hint: you can use two more straws and four more paper clips.) What is the most stable structure you can build using no more than 20 straws and 40 paper clips? How much weight will it support? (WGBH Staff, 2000)Bibliography
WGBH Staff, 2000. "Building Big Educator's Guide, Activity: Straw Shapes" Educational Print and Outreach Department, WGBH Educational Foundation [accessed May 26, 2006] http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/buildingbig/educator/act_straw_ei.html.
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Global Connections
The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDGs) are a blueprint to achieve a better and more sustainable future for all.
This project explores topics key to Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure: Build resilient infrastructure, promote sustainable industrialization and foster innovation.
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Cite This Page
General citation information is provided here. Be sure to check the formatting, including capitalization, for the method you are using and update your citation, as needed.MLA Style
Science Buddies Staff.
"Shapes with Straws." Science Buddies,
28 July 2017,
https://www.sciencebuddies.org/science-fair-projects/project-ideas/CE_p017/civil-engineering/shapes-with-straws?class=AQX4Lr5sgid4h_tb1yGBKFINgw-HXaI2IMKCTxL6jh1aAKnt92v3x9vT43dzZpxTU1HkK4m2wvjkqlDcvwAgiCSW.
Accessed 20 Apr. 2024.
APA Style
Science Buddies Staff.
(2017, July 28).
Shapes with Straws.
Retrieved from
https://www.sciencebuddies.org/science-fair-projects/project-ideas/CE_p017/civil-engineering/shapes-with-straws?class=AQX4Lr5sgid4h_tb1yGBKFINgw-HXaI2IMKCTxL6jh1aAKnt92v3x9vT43dzZpxTU1HkK4m2wvjkqlDcvwAgiCSW
Last edit date: 2017-07-28
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