Discussion Overview
The discussion revolves around designing and constructing a stable tower using only paper and tape, specifically aimed at supporting a weight of at least three textbooks. The project has constraints regarding the materials and structural requirements, including height and stability.
Discussion Character
- Homework-related
- Exploratory
- Technical explanation
Main Points Raised
- One participant requests clarification on the approximate weight of the textbooks, which is stated to be about 1.5 pounds each, with a goal of supporting over 27 pounds total.
- Suggestions include cutting the paper into pieces and forming cylinders, which are then connected with tape to create a stable structure.
- Another participant proposes a "zig-zag" folding technique for the cylinders to enhance their resistance to compression, although this may reduce their radius.
- There is a discussion about the necessity of connecting all parts of the structure to ensure stability.
- A participant shares an example of using a bank note to illustrate a folding technique that could be adapted for the paper tower project.
- One participant mentions a similar project from a class called "intro to engineering," highlighting the importance of brainstorming and design within class constraints.
Areas of Agreement / Disagreement
Participants express various ideas and approaches to building the tower, but there is no consensus on a single method. Multiple competing views on the design and construction techniques remain present throughout the discussion.
Contextual Notes
Participants discuss various folding and structural techniques without resolving the effectiveness of each method. There are assumptions regarding the properties of paper and the expected load that are not explicitly stated.