Tutorials, Tips and Other Web Links

2006 Structure Tips and Resources

Destination Imagination 2 Hour Structure Workshop 2006 Powerpoint Tutorial

Tools and Materials Online

SIG Balsa Wood Facts http://www.mat.uc.pt/~pedro/ncientificos/artigos/techbal.html

AC Supply (commercial site for teaching kits etc.) Sells two class packs: 25/pk from AC Supply $84.95 and a 24/pk from Midwest Products $78.95. These class packs introduce multiple students to the design and principles used in constructing towers. It comes complete with enough wood, 1/8x1/8 balsa, colored or white tacky glue, B size graph paper, and detailed student guide for each of 24 or 25 students to build a tower.

They also sell "The Chopper" on this site for $21.95 (replacement blades are available too)

Balsa Wood Road Map http://www.zimsweb.com/balsa/ From the site: "Balsa wood is used for a variety of applications. Some common uses are for RC & full scale airplanes, towers, bridges, structures, surf boards, transportation, mulch, carving, bird chew toys, boats, movie props, scientific studies, and about any other field of study you could think up.

We are able to hit tolerances as small as + or - .004 inches if needed. We weigh most of our inventory so if you need a specific stick, sheet, dowel, triangle, block, etc. just ask and we should be able to find it for you. We also enjoy the occasional custom balsa project."

Check out their specialized tools, like their Strength Testing Devices ( Column tester, Glue tester, etc) at http://www.specializedbalsa.com/strength_test_instructions.php

Pitsco Structures http://www.shop-pitsco.com/pitsco3/catalog.cfm?dest=dir&linkid=206&linkon= subsection

Pitsco Testers and Tools http://www.shop-pitsco.com/pitsco3/catalog.cfm?dest=dir&linkid=209&linkon= subsection Their "Timber Cutter Identifier: W18818 " is a very popular item for structure teams. This tool is very helpful for cutting 1/8" wooden sticks. Recommended for bridge and tower building and other model projects. The see-through safety guard limits finger access to the blade. The single-edged razor blade provides clean, accurate cuts. Miter marks are molded into the base to use as a reference when making angle cuts- $19.95

Elmer's Glue http://www.elmers.com/

Jet Glue - Manufacturers of Jet Glue (Cyanoacrylate) found in many hobby and model shops. Personal testimonial: "I know they say that the composition of all CA glues is the same- but some structure teams still decide they have a "favorite"...JET was always my own kids #1 choice!"

Gorilla Glue - Home page for the manufacturers of Gorilla Glue - a polyurethane glue known as "The Toughest Glue on Planet Earth". How to use Gorilla Glue on various types of woods http://www.gorillaglue.com/pdfs/technicalDataWood.pdf Lots of fun to use- perhaps a little "heavy" though for 2006's super light structures.

Titebond - Home page for manufacturers of Titebond Carpenters (Aliphatic) glues.

FreeCAD- Page with links to free CAD (Computer Assisted Drawing) programs. http://www.freecad.com/

SIG Manufacturing Company - Makers of the World's Finest Flying Model Airplanes and Supplies - Since 1951. You can order online or by phone-in the past, Sig Manufacturing has supplied the sticks of balsa we require at a 30% discount from the listed prices. When you call for an order be sure to tell them this is for Destination Imagination in order to see if the discount is still available. The company also suggests balsa teams go to their local Sig dealer if there is one however, they can order direct. Locations of local dealers can be found by going to their web site. If you call, ask about their catalogue too. Used to be $3.00 for 104 pages of great modeling supplies. http://www.sigmfg.com/index.html

Micro-Mark http://www.micromark.com/ is a mail-order source for hard-to-find tools and supplies for
• hobby, professional and educational model building • model trains • model planes
• model ships • model cars • military models • architectural models • plastic models • figure models • camera, gun and musical instrument repair • home machine shop • jewelry making
• gourd carving • dollhouse miniatures • special effects studios and movie props
...any profession or hobby that requires the use of specialized precision minature tools.

You can request a free catalogue by going to http://www.micromark.com/freecat/mmfreecat.html

Some of our teams have used their 8034490 DEGREE ANGLE JIGS$15.75, and Mini 4 Corner Clamps Speed Assembly-Great for clamping miniature picture frames, furniture, model railroad rolling stock and structures, ship models and whenever you need to clamp 4 corners tightly together. They adjust easily to hold items from 1/2 inch x 1/2 inch to 4 inches x 5 inches. This is also one place you can find another structure team favorite- Exacto's MINI PLASTIC CLAMP SET Item Number: 80383 List Price $10.80/ their Price $9.65 Lightweight plastic clamps with 1 fixed jaw and 1 adjustable jaw. To use, slide adjustable jaw up to workpiece and press tapered locking wedge to hold. Set includes two 3 inch capacity clamps and two 7 inch capacity clamps.

Superior Balsa & Aircraft Materials - Supplier of glues, balsa, basswood and spruce in a variety of sizes. Also have model building tools and equipment. http://www.superiorbalsa.com/

Specialized Balsa Wood - Sells balsa wood by specific weights. http://specializedbalsa.com/

Bob Smith Industries - Bob Smith Industries manufactures Cyanoacrylate glues. Sold as house brands with the names "Insta-Cure" and "Insta-Cure Plus" by many hobby shops. This site has information on how to use super glues. http://www.bsiadhesives.com/

E-How.com This site discusses different types of glues that are on the market. http://www.ehow.com/how_110276_buy-glues-adhesives.html

This to That- This website discusses types of glues and has recommendations for the best glues to use to glue two objects together. http://www.thistothat.com/

Pre-Engineering Software Corporation - This company sells Modelsmart 3D - a program that allows users to construct virtual basswood and balsawood bridges and towers and test them. Useful for general exploration of structures. This program takes some time to learn. It is not interference to use this program because the program does not design structures but merely tests "virtual" structures that the team creates within the program. From the website: "Our software is for educational purposes only and is not intended for design of actual load bearing structures or other professional use. Our software is based on engineering science theory, therefore, actual results, including failure loads, will vary due to factors such as, but not limited to, building material quality and construction techniques." Single Copy - Education Version $99.95 + $7.50 Shipping (continental US)
Single Copy - Student Version $69.95 + $7.50 Shipping (continental US)
( The student version is licensed for home use only.)
Student Combo Pack !! Add $10.00 and we'll include ModelSmart (2D) for Windows - Single Copy Student (Home Use) Version ($49.95)Combined package price = $79.95 + $9.50 Shipping (continental US)

Benefit from our "Voice(s) of Experience"

Hairylunch's Creative Problem Solving Page- Wood and Structures http://www.geocities.com/CollegePark/Campus/6697/CPS/structure1.htm

Balsa Structure Tips and Suggestions http://php.indiana.edu/~iuom/structure.html

SisterZone- Katherine and Sabrina are two sisters whose bridge designs took third place at the 2005 DI Global Finals. The tell you all about how they did it at http://www.sisterzone.com/SisterzOn%20Bridges.htm

Balsa Wood Discussion Site http://www.specializedbalsa.com/forum/ Various discussions about basic building concepts. Not intended for advanced concepts. *Good Example: Balsa can bend with the addition of boiling water. *Good Example: Triangle is the strongest shape for most applications of bracing. *Bad Example: Balsa can hold X pounds under these conditions. *Bad Example: Use this shape for this application.

Building Activities with Kids

Building Big – take a close look at the labs and challenges! http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/buildingbig/ This site is a LOT of fun! One of my absolute favorites! Kids love trying to get the elephants to sit on the shapes.

Building Big: the Challenges http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/buildingbig/abt_chall.html

Structures – Investigating Form & Function, a 3^rd Grade Science Unit http://bec.brookline.mec.edu/science/Structures/Structures A great lesson plan used by third graders in Massachusetts

Exploratorium: Science Explorer: Geodesic Gumdrops http://www.exploratorium.edu/science_explorer/geo_gumdrops.html

Structures Around the World http://www.exploratorium.edu/structures/index.html Plans for various activities- three of which are bridges

Basics

Ask-a-Scientist Engineering Archive

ScienzFair^TM Web Links

Greatest Engineering Achievements of 20th Century http://www.greatachievements.org/

Laminating and Bending Balsa

Structurae: Database and Gallery of Structures

Types of Structures

Pictures of Towers A few examples of x bracing, including one inverted "K" truss

CONSTRUCTION TECHNIQUES – Books about Structures

The Art of Construction, Mario Salvadori, Chicago Review Press, Chicago, IL, 1990, ISBN 1-55652-080-8, 200+ pgs, Grades 6-Adult

Building Toothpick Bridges, Jeanne Pollard, Dale Seymour Publications, Palo Alto, CA, 1985, ISBN 0-86651-266-7, 32 pgs, Grades 5-Adult

Messing Around with Drinking Straw Construction, Bernie Zubrowski, Little, Brown & Co, Ltd, 1981, ISBN 0-316-98875-8, 164 pgs, Grades 3-Adult

Structures, Bernie Zubrowski, Cuisenaire Company of America, White Plains, NY, 1993, ISBN 0-938587-35-8, 96 pgs, Grades 5-Adult (Excellent)

Structures or Why Things Dont Fall Down, J. E. Gordon, DaCapo Press, Inc., New York, NY, 1978, ISBN 0-306-80151-5, 395 pgs, Grades 9-Adult

Why Buildings Stand Up: The Strength of Architecture, Mario Salvadori, W. W. Norton & Company, New York, NY, 1980 ISBN 0-393-30676-3, 323 pgs, Grades 9-Adult

Building- Interactive and FUN sites!

Build it and Bust It! Nifty site that has features like The Tester: A Java Applet that allows you to test the strength of your structure! It reveals your design skills. http://library.thinkquest.org/11686/

SodaPlay- another interactive site. You can build or animate…check it out! http://www.sodaplay.com/constructor/how/start.htm

NOVA- Superbridge Site http://www.hevanet.com/bridgink/ More interactive fun-Click on each bridge to discover its strengths -- and weaknesses. (You'll need this information to play well)

NOVA- Build a Bridge Site campanion to the Superbridge site http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/bridge/ The NOVA program chronicles the building of the state-of-the-art Clark Bridge over the Mississippi River. On this Web site, you can test your engineering skills by trying to match the right bridge to the right location

Bridge to Classroom: Engineering for Earthquakes – just for fun http://newbaybridge.org/classroom/engineeringfor.html

Building Competitions

Mohawk College of Applied Arts and Technology:Crunchfest! What can you do with 250 popsicle sticks, glue, duct tape, band-aids and chewing gum? Build a bridge, of course!

Physics Balsa Bridge Building Contest - Home page for sponsors of an annual balsa bridge building contest. There is an extensive list of links to sites that deal not only with bridges but with tower type structures.

Bridges

BCD's Bridge Design Tips for Kids http://www.abcdpittsburgh.org/kids/kids.htm

Basic Bridge Types http://www.matsuo-bridge.co.jp/english/bridges/basics/index.shtm

Bridge Building: Art and Science http://www.brantacan.co.uk/bridges.htm

Bridge Designer http://www.jhu.edu/~virtlab/bridge/truss.htm

BridgeSite.com http://www.bridgesite.com/

Bridges from PBS http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/buildingbig/bridge/index.html

Bridges Webography from PBS http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/buildingbig/bridge/webography.html

Bridge Engineering Glossary from PBS http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/buildingbig/glossary_head.html

Buckland and Taylor http://www.b-t.com/

Bridge Basics http://www.buildingtechnology.com/bcba/bridges/basics.htm

Bridge Basics: diagrams, K'nex http://enrich.sdsc.edu/SE/Physics/Bridges/index.html