Mystery Architecture

1
Mystery Architecture

• The event where you dont 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

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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

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Common Types of Structures

• Longest/tallest
• Longest/tallest to hold a certain load
• At least a certain height/length that can hold
  the most

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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

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Types of Forces Tension

• Tension the member is being pulled on

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Types of Forces Tension

• Good Tension materials
• Straws
• String
• Pipe cleaner (wire)
• Paperclips
• Paper

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• Compression the member is being
  squished

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

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Good Engineering TowersLoad Bearing
Load Platform
Legs
Cross Bracing
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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

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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