PLTW 1st project (bridge design)

Brainstorming was helpful, because it helped me sort out the problem by writing my thoughts on my paper. This eventually led to a bridge like idea. My main problem was how to connect the pieces of paper together without fusing the paper together. Also, how to connect them without it touching any surface area, and using the materials sparingly. Testing our design showed that we couldn't suspend it over a great surface area without the bridge falling apart as there was a dip in the middle of the bridge. This required that we put it onto a table and connect the bottoms by using the supporting blocks of clay. We also learned by testing that, we needed to have the people blocks spread out across the bridge, and not in all one spot. Some characteristics of a successful team is really a lot of communication. Also, understanding and including of others ideas. I know as a team we communicated well, but had a hard time involving everyone's ideas. But in the end, it was successful, but always room for improvement. Some of these possible improvements could be that we made longer slits, or weaved the paper together. By doing so, it would of made our invention sturdier to support itself, as well as for the people blocks. Another room for improvement could be our platform pieces of clay. As moving it last minute to another place, in order for it to be sturdier, we would need bigger chunks of clay. This would have helped minimize the weight of the clay in certain spots. A last improvement would be taking bigger pieces of clay, but putting them closer together so the paper wouldn't sag at all. Therefore these improvements would help our structure be a lot more successful than it already was.