Maps and Bridges

Is Susan's class we started out identifying all of the bridges over the Huron River on a map of Ann Arbor.  We split into three groups.  Each group took one section of the river and compared what the map showed to what was on Google Earth.  They found several differences. The paper map omitted several smaller bridges and a railroad track appeared to travel on a very long bridge that was actually a long causeway. Next they combined all of the group's results into one master map.

Next we started building our won bridges with straws and paperclips.  I challenged them to build a bridge that could span a gap slightly shorter than a single straw length and hold up an orange. The paper clips can only be used to make joints.  No paperclip chains. We already had several successes.

And one group I had to kick out so they would go eat some lunch.

 I gave Owen a specific challenge to build a triangle out of three straws.