` Engineers in Training : Beam Me Down!
Beam Me Down!

Objective: In Beam Me Down, the students will learn that shape and orientation of a structure are far more important factors in its eventual strength than size.
Materials: class
  • 2 4'x8'x1/2" sheet of styrofoam insulation board (per 16 students, in teams of 2), cut into an assortment of 2-12 unit wide strips (1"-6")
  • T-Square to layout strips
  • utility knife to cut strips
  • assorted weights, totaling at least 60lbs
Materials: each student/team
  • Pen or Pencil
  • Tabletop or other flat,level surface
  • Web browser connection to the Beam Applet


To the Web Lesson!