Illustration of the triangle theme

Il laboratorio ruota ad una semplice figura geometrica: il triangolo.  È  la figura geometrica "più affidabile" e più usata. Parola di ingegneri, matematici, costruttori! La sua caratteristica è quella di essere una figura geometrica solida e di potersi ripetere dando vita a diverse figure. Il triangolo è la componente principale di forme, oggetti e addirittura monumenti.

Instructions

Let's build an experience, an engineering project, around a triangle. The beams can be pencils, straws, or little wooden sticks, as long as they are of the same length and diameter. Nodes are created where parts of the beams will be inserted, by shaping little balls of Patplume or Pongo. In this way, the students will create a triangular base and place it on their work surface.

Next step: the pyramid

The critical step: stand up the triangle to turn it into a pyramid, then repeat this geometric form by replicating the triangular module. In this way the result will be a 3D structure. Then there is the test: taking an pencil case, a ruler, or a book, rest it on one of these structures. Does it hold it up? Test passed!

Constructing a bridge between 2 pile of books

In this phase the students attempt to build a grid structure without having to position weights on it… the structure will be a bridge between two piles of books. Impossible? No, only a bit complicated! It is very important to guide the little artists during this phase to construct the grid evenly, with beams of the same length and thickness and nodes of the same size.

Plenty more

With this technique an infinite number of structures can be built, bridges to connect desks, towers that rise towards the sky,  parabolas, cross-sections of spheres, and even new geometric figures.

This activity takes time, plenty of concentration and a highly rational point of view, but gives extraordinary results. Above all, it generates new ideas and group spirit.