radiobrain Posted March 7, 2012 Share Posted March 7, 2012 (edited) This is stupid, but I just can't decide which of these to get for an inventor class I am teaching. 24 kids (12 ages 10-14 and 12 ages 7-10) 2, 2 hour sessions Choice 1: small bridge http://www.discountedbalsa.com/products/12512.htm Choice 2: tower http://www.discountedbalsa.com/products/12514.htm Choice 3: large bridge http://www.discountedbalsa.com/products/12510.htm After they do this they will be able to do whatever they want with a whole bunch of other balsa. The large bridge is about max on my budget, FYI. THANKS IN ADVANCE!!! And if you can think of any cool projects or ideas, please tell me!!!:D I have 6 weeks to fill! Edited March 7, 2012 by radiobrain Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
radiobrain Posted March 7, 2012 Author Share Posted March 7, 2012 What, are you all making dinner or something? :lol: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
radiobrain Posted March 8, 2012 Author Share Posted March 8, 2012 OK, 32 of you looked at this and didn't vote? :toetap05:Come on! I need to order this tomorrow and my son said, "Any of those is fine." Ugh. I need a three sided coin or something. <shaking my head sadly, while walking into the distance> :crying: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tap Posted March 8, 2012 Share Posted March 8, 2012 (edited) First these look a bit complicated for the younger students. Yes, some kids could handle it, but unless they are all really good team players, I wonder how much they will be able to do. Do you plan to have older/younger students working together or do you plan to have adults with each group? Or at least adults with the younger students? If each bridge is going to be a solo project, I would really worry about the younger students being successful. Bridge 1. It looks like you will need something to span the distance to try it out. Maybe just a couple of tables or books will do. Having kids glue the wood on the table, could result in some bridges glued to the table or paper that it is sitting on. This one looks like it may be the most forgiving of the choices. I assume, that to span the distance it will need to be dry. 2 sessions may not be enough time for this, especially if they are going to be building on the 2nd day. Tower 2. Of the 3, I think it is the best option but I would expect some crooked towers. It has legs to stand on, doesn't require a space to span, and it includes grid paper, presumably to align the pieces on. As long as this is built vertically (not flat side pieces that are assembled at the end), I assume you could work on it on the second day without a problem. Bridge 3. I wouldn't invest this much as a first project of this style, unless you have already been successful in other balsa wood projects. Do you have a way to look at the teacher's guides before ordering. Maybe try Google. I would want VERY clear instructions and at least one extra kit so I could prebuild one, to work out any kinks. Do you have a balsa wood cutter? I would want to precut the pieces for the younger students to help make it faster for them to build and with fewer errors. Looks like it will be fun! Are there any reviews of the kits anywhere to see what others have had to say about them? Edited March 8, 2012 by Tap, tap, tap Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
radiobrain Posted March 8, 2012 Author Share Posted March 8, 2012 Thanks for your thorough explanation. :D Here is where I stand on the whole thing. So you, myself and my friend (who is also a woman) all say the tower, for the same reasons. My son and my husband both say the bridge, as they don't think the tower "does anything". I think that's funny, as I think a bridge has less possibilities. I wonder if it is a male vs. female thing. ;) Anyway, there are 2 separate classes.. the one with the older kids is first and I can trouble shoot for the younger kids based on that. BTW, this is for a gifted program where I am pretty sure that all of the kids have had at least 2 sessions of a pretty intense engineering class...so they should be well exposed to this type of concept. I do wish there was some sort of review/preview of book. I am just going to need to hope! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tap Posted March 8, 2012 Share Posted March 8, 2012 Thanks for your thorough explanation. :D Here is where I stand on the whole thing. So you, myself and my friend (who is also a woman) all say the tower, for the same reasons. My son and my husband both say the bridge, as they don't think the tower "does anything". I think that's funny, as I think a bridge has less possibilities. I wonder if it is a male vs. female thing. ;) Anyway, there are 2 separate classes.. the one with the older kids is first and I can trouble shoot for the younger kids based on that. BTW, this is for a gifted program where I am pretty sure that all of the kids have had at least 2 sessions of a pretty intense engineering class...so they should be well exposed to this type of concept. I do wish there was some sort of review/preview of book. I am just going to need to hope! The younger kids may have problem with the manual dexterity issues though. Even if they understand the concepts easy enough, actually building it may be more difficult. Can you call and talk to the rep at the manufacturer? Can you enlist some of the older kids to stick around and help the younger kids? I see what the boys are saying about it not doing anything. At least with the bridge, you get to 'test' it in the end. hmmm, well now I think I am with the boys. LOL Do you have any of the tiny remote controlled cars? That would be a fun way to test the bridges. For the tower, maybe you need some mini Godzillas to test the strength. LOL It sounds like the kits may include ideas on how to test/destroy the contraptions.....that may be the best part. LOL Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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