Assemble a team of four students from your class and use the engineering design process to build the tallest possible tower that can support a 12-oz can of soda/pop. Materials: one roll of masking tape, one package of straws, and one can of soda/pop. Constraints: Your tower must be freestanding and remain upright for five seconds under load to qualify for measurement. You have 30 minutes to complete this exercise.

In engineering, problem-solving is a critical skill, especially when tackling exercises designed to simulate real-world challenges. Take, for instance, the exercise of building a tower of straws to support a soda can. The crux of problem-solving here lies in clearly defining the problem—constructing a stable structure with limited materials—and systematically exploring solutions.

Effective problem-solving involves a series of distinct steps: understanding the problem, gathering relevant information, brainstorming possible solutions, developing prototypes, testing, and refining the design until a workable solution is achieved. Recognizing the constraints, such as the limited supply of straws and tape, and the time limitation is essential.

In this case, the students must apply their knowledge of structural integrity and materials while remaining cognizant of the constraints imposed by the exercise. By iterating through prototype testing and analysis, students learn valuable lessons in not just finding any solution, but in optimizing their approach for efficiency and stability.

Prototype development is a cornerstone of engineering design that allows for the exploration of ideas and identification of potential flaws in a low-risk setting. The creation of a straw tower prototype is a quintessential example of this phase. Developing a prototype with straws and tape gives students a tangible understanding of how theoretical concepts translate into physical structures.

Different design considerations, such as the distribution of weight and the strength of connections, can be tested with a prototype. Furthermore, construction of a prototype provides immediate feedback through its performance under the load of a soda can. By doing so, engineering students learn an iterative process of improvement, where each round of testing and modification brings the design closer to its optimal state.

Iterative Prototyping

Through repeated cycles of testing and refinement, students are able to identify the best structure that manages to support the weight within the given materials and time constraints.

STEM education emphasizes the importance of teamwork, recognizing that collaborative efforts often yield better results than solitary endeavors. In our straw tower exercise, assembling a team of students introduces them to the collaborative nature of engineering projects. Team members must communicate effectively, delegate tasks, and leverage each other's strengths to meet their common goal.

A diverse team allows for a variety of perspectives on problem-solving and design, enhancing the brainstorming phase and leading to more innovative solutions. Teamwork also teaches students how to manage interpersonal dynamics and conflicts, which are crucial skills in a professional engineering environment. Moreover, the collaborative process mirrors the real-world scenarios where engineers, architects, and other professionals must work together to complete complex projects. The development of soft skills such as leadership, decision-making, and communication is as much a part of this exercise as the technical skills involved in the tower's design and construction.

At the heart of this exercise lies the application of structural engineering basics. Structural engineering involves understanding how various shapes and materials can combine to create a structure that is both strong and stable. In the case of the straw tower, students must take into account the properties of straws and masking tape, considering factors like tensile strength, compression, and the principles of load distribution.

Central concepts such as the triangle's inherent stability and the distribution of forces are integral to constructing a successful straw tower. By applying these basic principles, students can devise a design that effectively supports the soda can. The introduction to these concepts through a hands-on project aids in cementing the understanding that, in engineering, form and function are closely linked. Practical exercises like building a straw tower provide a foundation for more advanced studies in structural engineering and its application in everyday engineering tasks.