A History of the Structure Challenge
I have started to add a few pictures of structures. If the Challenge name is underlined - it is a link to a page with photos of team's structures. I have also added some videos of other teams solutions to some of the challenges.
You can find video's of Structure Challenge Team Performances at:
http://diresources.wikispaces.com/videosteamchallenges
2010 Breaking DI News
Teams had to build a structure using only newsprint and clue. The maximum weight of the structure was 75 grams. The structure was scored on a ratio of the weight the structure held in pounds to the weight of the structure in grams. The team also had to present a performance about a news worthy event in a country other than their own. All props (excluding the structure and team sign) had to fit inside a container that was 48" x 24" x 30". Cost limit was $50.
2009 A New Angle
The team had to build a two part structure to hold weight with each part of the structure having a small end (fit inside a 3" circle) and a large end (fitting over a 4" block). The structure was scored on a ratio of the weight of the structure in grams to the weight held in pounds. The team also had to present a performance about the merging of two art forms.
2008 Switch!
Teams constructed a structure using wood and glue that could be tested for strength in two different orientations. Teams research a manufactured item (called a SWITCH! item) that can serve more than one purpose and tell a story in which the team demonstrate two different uses of the SWITCH! item.
2007 Card-DI-ology
Teams were to construct a structure using playing cards. The total weight of the structure could not exceed 85 grams. The structure was scored on a ratio of weight held in pounds to the weight of the structure in grams. Teams could construct the structure with or without using glue. Teams that constructed their structure without using glue received a 15 point bonus. At Regional Tournament weight placement stopped when the weight stack reached 1 inch from the top of the safety pole. One 12" extension pipe could be used at State Tournament and two 12" extension pipes could be used at Global Finals. Teams told a story about the impact or effect of any kind of card or cards on a character in the story.
Tutorial information for Card-DI-ology
2006 Inside DImension
Teams constructed two structures - one of which must fit inside the other. The combined weight of both structures could not exceed 14 grams with the weight difference between the two structures being less than 2 grams. At Regional Tournament weight placement stopped when the weight stack reached 1 inch from the top of the safety pole. One 12" extension pipe could be used at State Tournament and two 12" extension pipes could be used at Global Finals. Teams told a story about an architect of their choosing. The story was told from the viewpoint of the "Insider" - a representation of an architectural creation of the architect.
2005 DIsigning Bridges
Teams constructed a bridge from wood and glue. The minimum span of the bridge was 20 inches with a weight limit of 150 grams. This challenge required adding additional blocks outside the structure tester on which to set the bridge. The structure was scored by multiplying the weight held in pounds times the span of the bridge in inches less nineteen. Teams were to tell a story about a "bridge" between two cultures.
2004 GuessDImate
Teams constructed a structure from wood and glue and had to predict how much the structure would hold. Teams received bonus pounds for how closely they estimated how much the structure would support. The maximum weight for the structure was 16 grams. At Regional tournament no extension pipes were allowed for the safety pole. One 12" extension pipe was available for use at State Tournament and two 12" extension pipes were available for use at Global Finals. Teams created a performance involving guessing or estimation.
2003 ConnecDId
Teams constructed a structure made only of wood (no adhesives). The structure was scored on a ratio of weight held in pounds to weight of the structure in grams. At Regional and State Tournament the maximum weight held allowed for scoring was 500 pounds. This was increased to 1000 pounds at Global Finals. Teams created a Universal Connection Creation and told a story about "connections."
2002 Dual DIlemma
Teams constructed two structures. One structure was constructed from balsa wood, paper and glue with the restriction that balsa wood could only be used vertically or horizontally. The second structure was constructed during a 30 minute time at the tournament and could be constructed only of balsa wood and duct tape with the restriction that balsa wood could only be used horizontally or vertically. Scoring was based on a ratio of weight held in pounds to weights of the structures in grams. The maximum weight held allowed for scoring was 300 pounds for Elementary and Middle Level teams and 450 pounds for Secondary and University Level teams. Teams created two performances that contrasted with each other. Click for a video of the Balsa Goddess' teams time in the construction zone at D2K.2 Global Finals.
2001 Triplicity
Teams constructed three structures that stacked on top of each other. One structure was constructed of balsa wood and glue. One structure was constructed of balsa wood, paper and glue. And one structure was constructed of paper and glue. The minimum height of each structure was 2 inches. The combined height of the three structures had to be between 7-3/4 inches and 8-1/4 inches. The structures were scored on a ratio of weight held in pounds to the weight of the structure in grams. The maximum allowable weight held for scoring was 300 pounds.
2000 Its Not Impastable
Teams constructed a structure made only of pasta and glue. The structure was scored on a ratio of weight held in pounds to weight of the structure in grams. The maximum allowable weight held for scoring purposes was 600 pounds. The minimum height of the structure was 9 inches with a maximum height of eleven inches. The structure was designed for off center loading and the structure could only contact the tester base in two designated regions. The regions were positioned on opposite sides of the safety pole at different distances from the safety pole. One region was 1" x 18" wide and was positioned 1" from the center of the safety pipe. The other region was 5" x 18" wide and was positioned 4" from the center of the safety pipe. The maximum allowed weight held for scoring was 600 pounds.
