This week, the students conducted an experiment exploring the effect that struts and ties have on the strength of a structure. Working in pairs, the students first created a basic cube structure using thick pasta noodles and stale mini marshmallows and tested its ability to support a load (sheets of paper, paper clips, etc.). The students then designed and built a second cube (with additional noodles and marshmallows) but this time using struts and ties to help strengthen or reinforce their structure. As you will see from the pictures below, the students were really engaged in the experiment and demonstrated some excellent ingenuity in their designs!