Amaya Blackstone (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
special_rabbit) wrote in ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png)
fandomhigh2021-03-25 05:17 am
special_rabbit) wrote in fandomhigh2021-03-25 05:17 am
Entry tags:
Shop Class; Thursday, Second Period [03/25].
"Morning, everyone!" Amaya greeted the class with her usual nod, her usual eager smile, especially today since she was actually pulling a new project out of her pockets for them this week. She realized that the skill levels in this semester's particular class were a little uneven, but so far, everyone had been able to keep up to speed fairly well, so why not? It wasn't going to be much of a competition, but it could still be fun.
"After all the work we've been doing with metal, today's project might seem a little basic, but there's some hidden challenge in there all the same. As you can see," she gestured to the work table of supplies, which included a lot of glue, some PVC piping and...mountains of popsicle sticks, "we're going to be going a little arts and craftsy today, while still covering some important lessons about infastructure and building, because today? We're having a popsicle stick bridge competition.
"I think you're all easily at a point where you don't need me to go over the basics," she said, "and I think I'd rather have you learn a bit through experience and trial and error, anyway. The concept is simple: you've got most of the class period and these materials here to build a bridge that will span this width here," she gestured toward the space between the worktables, "and, as you work, trying rolling across these cars," another gesture to those materials, "across the bridge, each one heavier than the next, to see how well your bridge holds up, and if it doesn't, well, figure out how to fix the problem and make it strong enough to withhold it the next time.
"I've got a cooler full of popsicles to enjoy if you want while you work," she added, because she liked being thematic, "and feel free to try and get creative and interesting with your designs, but keep in mind, no additional materials or upgrades! You've got to stick with the sticks, the glue, and the pipe, no more, no less. And while this is mostly just a fun experiement to play around with sticks and different design features, I will say this: at least where I'm from? Actually knowing how to whip up a bridge with whatever materials you have on hand is actually a useful skill to have! I'm sure it's not a common occurance elsewhere, but it never hurts to have a little extra ingenuity in your pocket.
"If there are any questions or you need a bit of help to get started, you let me know, otherwise, I'll just let you guys get to it so you can start building some bridges!"
"After all the work we've been doing with metal, today's project might seem a little basic, but there's some hidden challenge in there all the same. As you can see," she gestured to the work table of supplies, which included a lot of glue, some PVC piping and...mountains of popsicle sticks, "we're going to be going a little arts and craftsy today, while still covering some important lessons about infastructure and building, because today? We're having a popsicle stick bridge competition.
"I think you're all easily at a point where you don't need me to go over the basics," she said, "and I think I'd rather have you learn a bit through experience and trial and error, anyway. The concept is simple: you've got most of the class period and these materials here to build a bridge that will span this width here," she gestured toward the space between the worktables, "and, as you work, trying rolling across these cars," another gesture to those materials, "across the bridge, each one heavier than the next, to see how well your bridge holds up, and if it doesn't, well, figure out how to fix the problem and make it strong enough to withhold it the next time.
"I've got a cooler full of popsicles to enjoy if you want while you work," she added, because she liked being thematic, "and feel free to try and get creative and interesting with your designs, but keep in mind, no additional materials or upgrades! You've got to stick with the sticks, the glue, and the pipe, no more, no less. And while this is mostly just a fun experiement to play around with sticks and different design features, I will say this: at least where I'm from? Actually knowing how to whip up a bridge with whatever materials you have on hand is actually a useful skill to have! I'm sure it's not a common occurance elsewhere, but it never hurts to have a little extra ingenuity in your pocket.
"If there are any questions or you need a bit of help to get started, you let me know, otherwise, I'll just let you guys get to it so you can start building some bridges!"