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Catapults - a classic and exciting engineering project that introduces students to fundamental ideas in physics and engineering like energy transformation,...

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For our third and final straw project (for now....) I'm completely geeking out with this straw geodesic dome & sphere. I have pretty much lived and breathed architecture my entire life (my father is an architect as well) so I have been familiar with geodesic domes practically since I learned to walk...okay maybe not quite that long but you get the picture.....so I'm really curious if everyone else out there is as fascinated by them as me. If you are please leave a comment below telling us your favorite example of a Geodesic Dome!
For those of you that are just tuning into domes scroll down to the "Looks Like" section of the post for a quick primer on domes and their master, the one and only Bucky Fuller, as architects and designers go he considered a legend.
We have a fabulous Geodesic Climbing Dome in our backyard that has provided a lot of fun for my kids over the past few years. My son and I tried to replicate it when building straw structures out of triangles, you can see our version here, but it wasn't a true geodesic dome. Building a true geodesic dome out of straws involves some math. But don't be scared by that! I promise it's only one simple equation that I you can do with a calculator! I also wanted to create a tutorial that makes it about as easy to make a geodesic dome out of straws as humanly possible. I think I got pretty close.

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Materials

Straight Straws like these For a dome you will need 33 straws (18 of one color and 15 of a second color). For a full sphere you will need 60 Straws (30 of each color)

Chenille Stems AKA Pipe Cleaners

Scissors

Ruler

Instructions
To visualize this project ahead of time here's the basic plan:

1. Cut straws into two different lengths (Strut A & B)

2. Make 6 pentagon sections

3. Join them together in the shape of a dome

Yes, it's that easy.
Note: We will be cutting two sizes of straws. For ease of understanding it's best to cut the different sizes from different colors. That way it's easy to keep track of which are the longer struts and which are the shorter.
Basic Pentagon

Step One Select one color to be Strut A and one to be Strut B. Strut A will be longer than Strut B. For Strut A simply cut each straw in half. Make a total of 35 Strut A's.

Step Two Strut B should be smaller than Strut A by a factor of 0.885. To determine what length to cut Strut B measure Strut A then multiply that number by 0.885. Now you have the size of Strut B. Here's an example:

For an 8" long straw Strut A will be 4" and strut B will be 4" x 0.885 = 3.54". Round up to 3.5" here people, you don't have to be that accurate! Just get close to the ratio. Hint- Cut one strut B length and use it as a guide to cut the rest of the straws to that size.

Step Three Cut a total of 30 Strut Bs.

Step Four Make some pentagons! Strut A will be the outside of each pentagon and Strut B will be the middle sections. Take (1) Strut A and feed a pipe cleaner through it. Bend back the end to secure it in place around the straw. Join additional pipe cleaners on as necessary to make one continuous length of pipe cleaner by twisting the ends of pipe cleaners together tightly.

Step Five Thread 4 more straws onto the pipe cleaners for a total of 5 straws) then bend into the shape of a pentagon and secure the ends together.

Step Six Thread (2) Strut B's onto the long end of the pipe cleaner (adding more pipe cleaners as necessary) then thread the pipe cleaner into an adjacent straw and out the other side.

Step Seven Thread (2) more Strut B's through the pipe cleaner and an adjacent straw.

Step Eight Thread 1 final Strut B onto the pipe cleaner and then secure all Strut B's at the center of the pentagon. It helps to wrap the pipe cleaner around the joint of one pair of strut B's and then wrap it around the second pair. Thread the end of the pipe clearer back into one of the straw struts to conceal it.

Step Nine Make 5 more pentagons as described above. For a full sphere grab a glass of lemonade and make 11 more pentagons!

Make the Dome

Now that you have the basic shape that will form the dome all you need to do is connect them together. For a dome you will need 5 Strut B's to form the base. If you are making a full sphere you can eliminate the extra struts as the pentagons from one side will join the second side of the sphere.

Dome- For ease of reference I have shaded in the center pentagon in this visual tutorial. Trust me, it look more complicated than it is.

Step One Take one pentagon and thread a pipe cleaner through one side, secure at the end. This will be your center pentagon.

Step Two Thread the long end of the pipe cleaner through one Strut B of a second pentagon. Make sure the pointed sides of the shapes are facing OUT. Pull them together.

Step Three Repeat Steps one and two to connect a third, fourth, and fifth pentagon at the joints of the center pentagon. Pull tightly.

Step Four Take the (5) single Strut B's and feed them through the base of the row of pentagon at the bottom, alternating pentagons and struts. Pull tightly.

Sphere

Step One Take one pentagon and thread a pipe cleaner through one side, secure at the end. This will be your center pentagon.

Step Two Thread the long end of the pipe cleaner through one Strut B of a second pentagon. Make sure the pointed sides of the shapes are facing OUT. Pull them together.

Step Three Repeat Steps one and two to connect a third, fourth, and fifth pentagon at the joints of the center pentagon. Pull tightly.

Step Four Repeat Steps one through three to make a second half of a sphere.

Step Five Join the two side together! Thread a pipe cleaner through Strut B of one pentagon on one sphere. Secure at the end.

Step Six Instead of threading single Strut B's around the base as we did to make a dome, you will use the Strut B's of the second sphere as the connectors. Thread the pipe cleaner through one Strut B on the second sphere half. The second sphere half should be positioned facing the opposite direction of first half. Continue threading pipe cleaners through the bottom loop of both halves to form a complete sphere. Secure the starting and ending points together.

Why are geodesic dome so fascinating to designers?
You may think it looks complicated and but it's actually really easy to make both the dome and sphere once you see the pattern. In all fairness I built this dome and sphere. My kids are just a wee bit young to tackle this project, although my baby had fun trying to thread pipe cleaners through straws... I know it takes some time but breaking this project down to basic shapes made it very easy to build and understand. Here's my son with the dome so you can see how big it actually is.
The Math Behind the Dome
About Geodesic Domes
*Theoretically a 1-frequency dome is possible but it makes the shape of an icosahedron, which doesn't quite have a spherical shape. More on Domes
Geodesic domes are very efficient structures. Triangles are inherently stable shapes, so creating structures out of interlocking triangles makes very strong, yet incredibly lightweight structures that can be adapted on a small level, like our project here, to a massive level as in the Montreal Biosphere constructed for the 1967 World's Fair.

The first step in designing a geodesic dome is to determine the frequency of the dome, denoted by the letter V. At a minimum you need a frequency of 2*. In simplified terms it means you need 2 different strut or chord lengths. The more struts/chords you have the more rounded the final shape will be. The straw geodesic dome/sphere here is 2V. 3V and 4V domes are also very popular t make. If you want to build one or even a more complex dome check out this geodesic dome calculator.

If you can't get enough Geodesic domes here are a few more places you should check out:

Looks Like

Buckminster Fuller. Of.course. In the architecture world Bucky Fuller is a legend. He ranks up there with Frank Lloyd Wright and Le Corbusier. Are you familiar with him? Well you are now. He didn't invent the Geodesic Dome, it was actually invented by Walther Bauersfeld, but Bucky Fuller made it a household word. His love of geodesic domes has spread to generations of young architecture students in the past half-century. He saw the potential in geodesic triangulated structures to build strong yet lightweight super structures was awarded patents for a number of his designs. Bucky Fuller is also renowned in design circles for his forward thinking philosophies. He designed the Dymaxion House in the 1940s to be a mass produced type of housing. Imagine if houses were made like cars in factories. In my opinion this makes him the predecessor to the pre-fab home movement. He also developed theories about the world's limited amount of natural resources and was a environmental visionary. For these reasons and more he is a hero of mine and many, many other designers.
P.S. This would make a fantastic STEM project for older kids! If you enjoyed this engineering project for kids check out Tensile Bubbles and Paper Building Blocks for a more structural fun.
Conclusion
Don't miss out on more STEM projects here on Babble Dabble Do! Your child's inner Buckminster Fuller thanks you! Subscribe below, like us on FB, or follow along on Pinterest! Visit Babble Dabble Do's profile on Pinterest.
My father the architect was visiting us this week and helped us make our geodesic straw dome. His verdict on this project? "Incredible!" He was impressed at how we broke down the construction into a few simple repeatable steps using very basic materials. You can do it too! Maybe you want to make one to explore geometry with kids or engineering ideas or maybe just for decorative purposes, I mean who wouldn't want to hang a geodesic sphere from the ceiling? Ha! In any case I hope you are inspired to try making one and join the ranks of Bucky Fuller fans worldwide!

Now that you are pumped about geometry here are three amazing toys you might want to consider adding to your collection, they might just turn your kids into the next Bucky Fuller:

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Engineering for Kids: Straw Geodesic Dome & Sphere - Babble Dabble Do

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For our third and final straw project (for now....) I'm completely geeking out with this straw geodesic dome & sphere. I have pretty much lived and breathed architecture my entire life (my father is an architect as well) so I have been familiar with geodesic domes practically since I learned to walk...okay maybe not quite that long but you get the picture.....so I'm really curious if everyone else out there is as fascinated by them as me.

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You don't have to have a complicated supply list for an engineering challenge. Nor, do you have to create something something spectacular and life-changing. Simple is best.

Kids learn from taking items from their everyday life and using them in new ways to do simple things. It helps them understand the world around them and how things work.

For this engineering challenge, give each of your students a sheet of foil and a few drinking straws. Their challenge is to create a foil boat that is no larger than 6 X 6 X 6. The boats have to float and not tip over easily. After the boats pass the float and tip tests on the water, start adding pennies (you can use marbles, too). The boat that holds the most pennies without tipping over or taking on water wins the challenge.
Related post: 50+ STEAM Activities
When doing this and other engineering challenges, don't worry if your students create something that doesn't look like a typical boat or whatever else the challenge is about. The idea isn't to re-create something familiar. The idea is to think and problem solve. New ways of doing things are great!

More engineering challenge ideas...

This post is part of the 5 Days of Engineering Challenges series, which is part of the iHomeschool Network Homeschool Hopscotch. The Hopscotch is full of homeschool resources.

This is a great resource for tons of engineering project ideas!

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Foil Boat Engineering Challenge - The Homeschool Scientist

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For this engineering challenge, give each of your students a sheet of foil and a few drinking straws. Their challenge is to create a foil boat that is no larger than 6 X 6 X 6. The boats have to float and not tip over easily.

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Introduction: Simple Pneumatic Machine

If you enjoy this project, then please pledge on Patreon!
More engineering projects || Everything I make

This project draws on similar ideas from previous work, but without the use of hot glue. This construction process is very simple, and unlike some of my hydraulic projects, these pneumatic machines operate using only compressed air instead of water.

8 People Made This Project!

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Step 1: Materials and Prep

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Materials:

Prep:

Cut straws into quarters (6 per student)

Cut straws into eighths (2 per student)

Cut vinyl tubing into 6" lengths (1 per student)

Assemble pneumatic systems (recommended for young classes)

Note: The straws are large milkshake straws.

Step 2: Assemble the Frame

Create 2 triangles using the stick-and-straw building technique.

Click on the 3rd image and look closely at the tape that is used to connect the triangles together. It is folded all the way around the triangle and stuck to itself. This is an important building technique.

Step 3: Create the Hinge

Tape a jumbo stick to the side of the frame that has two craft sticks connecting it together. The jumbo stick can be attached to just one stick if students do not have two sticks on one side (in this situation, tape the front and back of the jumbo stick to the single craft stick.)

Be sure to click on the images to see the building steps clearly.

Use a whole pipe cleaner to connect the sticks. Twist tightly and cut off the excess

Step 4: Add the Pneumatic System

To create a pneumatic system: Fill up one syringe with air, then connect it to the other empty syringe with vinyl tubing.

Tightly wrap one end of the pipe cleaner around the syringe as shown, then tie it to the machine arm.

Attach the syringe to the frame by taping the spot where the tubing connects to the syringe nozzle.

Step 5: Make It Awesome!

This is where students can be most creative. In this example, the machine has: the control syringe taped to a convenient place, extended machine arm, added outriggers for stability, and a pipe cleaner hook.

Other ideas:

Add a cup on the end of the arm

Add more outriggers

Turn the arm into a cork launcher

Step 6: Tips and Troubleshooting

Tips:

For young classes (grades 1-2) you may want to assemble the pneumatic systems as part of your prep

Divide this project into 2 parts: Creating the frame, and then create the hinge + attach the pneumatic system. If all of the project steps are presented up front, students will have difficulty remembering them.

Troubleshooting:

If the machine arm is leaning to one side:

Tighten the pipe cleaner that connects the hinge

Tightly wrap tape around the tubing that connects the syringe to the frame

Tape the syringe to the frame (not too tight)

If the machine arm is not moving very much:

Check the pneumatic system for too much or too little air

The plastic syringe is taped directly to the frame instead of the tubing

The pipe cleaner that connects the syringe to the machine arm is too tight or not in the right position

If the machine is falling over:
The outriggers are:

Not present

Taped on poorly

Not overlapping the frame enough

Not long enough

The machine arm is too long or is leaning too muc

We have a be nice policy.
Please be positive and constructive.

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If you enjoy this project, then please pledge on Patreon! More engineering projects || Everything I make This project draws on similar ideas from previous work, but without the use of hot glue. This construction process is very simple, and unlike some of my hydraulic projects, these pneumatic machines operate using only compressed air instead of water.

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Most paper crafts revolve around creating something fancy out of paper, but did you know that you could use paper as a structural material? Our simple paper building blocks are a great way to demonstrate engineering for kids. Take a material that is weak in and of itself, fold it into a robust shape, like a triangle, and viola, you are now building with paper!

How strong is it? Well, make a few blocks, build a paper structure, and put it to the test! You'll never guess what we tested ours with......check out the results below.
Note: This post contains affiliate links to products I recommend to my readers.
I originally spotted the idea for paper blocks in one of our favorite books Big Book of Science Things to Make and Do. Simple, colorful, and educational, the best type of project to do!

If you love paper toys, check out our Play Pack:

Age Appropriateness: 6+, Adult help with cutting and scoring

Materials

Notes:

Our building blocks are based on a 1-inch module, increase the size proportionally to make bigger blocks

Adults should be in charge of Steps One-Four

Kids can take over at Step Five

Instructions:

Step One Select your first piece of paper and place it on your cutting mat. Score your paper vertically at the 1-inch and 2-inch marks and trim your paper completely at the 3-inch mark. To score paper, lightly drag your Exacto blade along your straightedge, making a light line in the paper. This will make folding easier.

Step Two Repeat the scoring and trimming process with each color of paper.

Step Three Trim the lengths of scored paper crosswise into 1-inch strips. If you have a paper cutter this would be the fastest method for cutting. I don't have a paper cutter (I know, can you believe it, a paper lover like me without a paper cutter?) so I trimmed it the old fashioned way with an Exacto and a straightedge.

Step Four Cut some paper "planks," 1-inch strips of paper that are not scored. They can be 3 to 6 inches long.

Step Five Fold your 1-inch strips into thirds along the scored lines.

Step Six Tape the open edges together to form a triangle.

Step Seven Repeat folding and cutting until you have a bunch of blocks assembled.

You're done! Now it's time to build!

Start positioning the triangles in a row alternating between triangles that are right side up and upside down. Add a plank or two on top of each layer. When you have a few layers you can test how strong your paper structure is by balancing objects on top of it!

Our heavy metal straightedge was the first test and....it passed! But the piece de la resistance was my son's desire to balance Oreos on top of the structure. His paper structure definitely passed the "Two Oreo Test!"

Looks Like

Shigeru Ban, one of my all time favorite architects. He actually builds out of paper, not just furniture or objects but BUILDINGS! Check out his paper Church here: Takatori Catholic Church

He typically uses paper tubes as structural elements in many innovative, sometimes temporary, often permanent structures. His recent Cardboard Cathedral in New Zealand is a great example of the versatility of paper Cardboard Cathedral

Paper Structures

I think I had the most fun building with these simple paper blocks! Using multicolored paper definitely glammed up this simple science project for kids that illustrates basic engineering principles. Have fun with selecting objects to test the strength of your finished structure. Just be sure to pick objects that are easy to balance otherwise your paper structure might topple over due to balance issues rather than "folding" under the pressure of weight, no pun intended!

Who would have thought paper crafts for kids could be used to teach engineering?

It includes 7 paper toys you can download, print, and play with today!

Fill your child's life with more art, design, science, and engineering!
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Science & Engineering for Kids: Paper Building Blocks

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Most paper crafts revolve around creating something fancy out of paper, but did you know that you could use paper as a structural material? Our simple paper building blocks are a great way to demonstrate engineering for kids.

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Space STEM: Engineer a homemade shooting star spinner toy. This fun projects teaches about kinetic and potential energy and uses recycled materials!

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Environmental Science: Oil Spill Clean Up Experiment

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Try this oil spill clean up experiment with your students or kids! This is agreat one for Earth Day or anytime you want to teach about the environment!

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Finding ways to get kids engaged doesn't have to be hard! Remember the Cup Challenge? This is the equivalent but with popsicle sticks. We call it the "Bridge Building Popsicle Stick Challenge". A great STEM (Science Technology Engineering Math) activity for students in the classroom or kids at home.

Challenge: Construct a bridge that spans at least 12 inches and hold one action figure (or whatever toy you have in your home).

Bridge Building Supplies:

1. Glue Gun (craft glue would work as well, we wanted fast drying)
2. 40-50 craft sticks
3. ruler
4. cookie sheet or parchment paper to keep it from sticking to other surfaces

If this the first time your child will be using a glue gun? Click here for some tips.

Predict what will happen if the bridge cannot handle the weight

Then test the bridge between two chairs that are about 10 inches apart.

You can either test one item and see if the bridge can hold it OR you can continue to stack items (books, cards, LEGO, blocks) until the bridge breaks.

We didn't want our bridges to break, so we slowly added heavier items. Surprisingly they were very sturdy! The bottom picture (above) shows how many books we piled on top of one of them. It was fun to see how two children went at it completely different from one another and still worked!

For more ideas:
Kristen @ Busy Kids Happy Mom
Kristen's background is in elementary education, crafts and raising boys! Busy kids are those engaged in fun, practical, and purposeful activities in their daily life.

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Stem Building Challenge, Bridge Building

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Finding ways to get kids engaged doesn't have to be hard! Remember the Cup Challenge? This is the equivalent but with popsicle sticks. We call it the "Bridge Building Popsicle Stick Challenge". A great STEM (Science Technology Engineering Math) activity for students in the classroom or kids at home.

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Garbage can be fun to experiment with before it gets thrown away. I have two quick and easy garbage science experiments that your kids will love!

Shrinking Chip Bag

The first one we did was a shrinking chip bag in the microwave. You use a small (single serving) empty chip bag to do this experiment. Just place it in the microwave for 5 seconds. There will be a few sparks, but tt won't hurt your microwave! When you open the microwave your bag will be tiny and hard. It is pretty cool! I have seen people use these to make a keychain.

It's over and done in 5 seconds, but it is really neat to watch!

Crushing a Soda Can

The second garbage science experiment we did was crushing a soda can in a bowl of cold water. To do this you need a soda can, a bowl of cold icy water and some tongs. Put a tablespoon of water in the can and place it directly on your stove burner. Bring it to a boil. Then grab the can with your tongs and flip it over into the icy water. The can will crush from the pressure.

Here is a little video of what happens to the can when placed in the water:

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Garbage Science Experiments - Teach Beside Me

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This post may contain affiliate links.Garbage can be fun to experiment with before it gets thrown away. I have two quick and easy garbage science experiments that your kids will love! Shrinking Chip Bag The first one we did was a shrinking chip bag in the microwave.

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How to Make an Easy Lava Lamp - Fun Science Experiments for Kids

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Learn how to make an easy lava lamp with this fun science experiment for kids. Use simple household items such as vegetable oil, food coloring, Alka-Seltzer and a bottle to create chemical reactions and funky balls of color that move around like a real lava lamp.

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Neferchichi's Tomb | Information and activities about ancient Egypt

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Neferchichi's Tomb | Information and activities about ancient Egypt

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Neferchichi's Tomb has been providing information, clip art, and activities about ancient Egypt for kids, teachers, and amateur Egyptolgists since 1996.

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Neferchichi's Tomb | Information and activities about ancient Egypt

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Neferchichi's Tomb | Information and activities about ancient Egypt

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Neferchichi's Tomb has been providing information, clip art, and activities about ancient Egypt for kids, teachers, and amateur Egyptolgists since 1996.