In Straws We Trussed

Objective: Students experiment with structural design in the construction of a pin-and-beam truss, directly observing the concepts of tension, compression, buckling and strength of structural elements.

Materials: Each student will need

  • 50 drinking straws (8 inch length, non-bending)
  • Scissors
  • 100 Straight Pins
  • Tabletop
  • Web browser connection to the JS Truss Activity

To the Web Lesson!
(JavaScript Edition)
To the Web Lesson!
(Java Edition)