The Challenge

To design and construct a tower made of plastic straws that will support and elevate a golf ball to the highest possible height.

You Will Need (per team)

• Golf ball
• 150 plastic 8" regular straight drinking straws (no flexible straws)
• 50 centimetres of ½" masking tape
• 30 #1 non-skid trombone paper clips
• 1 label (standard for file folders - Avery 5160)
• 1 (3" x 5") index card
  
  

Directions

1. Students may use only the materials listed above to construct their towers.
2. They have a maximum time limit of one half hour (½ hour) for the construction of their Golf Ball Tower
3. The base of the tower must be on the floor and must be part of the tower.
4. Masking tape may be used in any fashion to construct the tower, but it may NOT come in contact with the golf ball.
5. Masking tape cannot be used to secure the base of the tower to the floor. The tower must be constructed so that it is able to stand freely.
6. Students are required to name their tower. Using the provided label, affix the tower's name to the structure, provided that it is not affixed to the golf ball.

Judging

1. Once the towers are constructed, all teams will place a golf ball at the top of their tower at the same time.

2. The towers must then remain free-standing for at least one minute without any human assistance or being taped to the floor. If any tower does not stand for the required one minute, it will be immediately disqualified from competition.

3. If the towers remain standing for the required one minute, then judges may proceed to measure the height.

4. Height must be measured from the base of the tower (floor) to the top of the golf ball. Please submit height results in centimetres.

5. Please submit only the results of the winning entry from each competing grade to APEGGA.

6. The team that has constructed the tower that supports the golf ball to the tallest height shall be declared the winner.

7. In the event of a tie, the tower using the least number of straws shall be declared the winner.

Rules and Regulations

1. The contest is open to Alberta students in grades 7 through 12.

2. Submissions may be made by groups no larger than four. All students in a group should be in the same grade.

3. All results must be received by APEGGA before 5:00 p.m. on Friday, March 16, 2001. Please include the height of the tower (in centimetres), the names of the team members, grade level, school name and address, telephone number and a teacher contact.

Mail, fax or email results to:
Science Challenge
c/o APEGGA
1500 Scotia One
10060 Jasper Avenue
EDMONTON AB T5J 4A2
Fax (780) 425-1722
Email: ssteele@apegga.org

Questions or concerns? Call Bronwen Stembiski at (780) 426-3990 or toll free at 1-800-661-7020 or Stacey at (403) 262-7714.